Deanna Bratter

Manager, Responsible Livelihood

The Responsible Livelihood department focuses our efforts on sustaining and improving our communities and the environment. One part of this effort includes working with the technical and operations sides of our company to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Another facet involves getting our fellow employees engaged in making a difference — and helping them understand how their efforts go a long way in achieving our goal of becoming the earth's favorite food company. For example, not everyone understands how compost works. What is compostable? What isn't? This is where I come in. My team members and I act as a resource, organizing events that not only inform, but also create opportunities to participate. From sustainability seminars at lunch to volunteering at the local food bank, we constantly promote the company's values. In fact, we even reward our people's hard work by sharing the fruit of their labor. Through our onsite composting program, when springtime rolls around employees bring shovels, buckets and bags and help themselves to the wonderfully rich soil they helped produce. Compost is a great soil enhancer for gardens, stimulates healthy root development and diverts waste from landfills. And it's a lot of fun to see the work come full circle.