Month: March 2026

Originally published on Sysco Newsroom

HOUSTON, March 18, 2026 /3BL/ – Sysco Corporation, the global leader in food distribution, has launched a pilot Home Grown by Sysco program dedicated to bringing locally sourced foods and artisan products to more customers and communities.

The Home Grown by Sysco program will make it easier for sales teams and customers to identify about 10,000 locally sourced products on the Sysco Shop website and mobile app. The pilot beginning February 24 includes the Great Lakes, Northeast and South Florida regions in the United States, as well as the Montreal site and British Columbia region in Canada. The goal is to expand the program across the United States within the next 12 months.

The program is a part of Sysco’s One Planet One Table assortment of sustainability related products and is critical to a newly launched sustainability strategy that seeks to bring locally sourced products to more tables around the world.

The pilot defines “locally sourced” as items that originate from a geographic area close to a Sysco distribution center, typically within the same state or province or a designated distance, depending on the site, product and applicable laws.

“Home Grown by Sysco’s expansion is a direct response to ever-growing customer demand for locally grown and raised products as well as artisan items,” said Lauren Contreras, director of sustainable food systems at Sysco.

Locally sourced products have long been available through Sysco, and the Great Lakes Region named their program Home Grown by Sysco in 2021. That name is now being adopted for the pilot program in the United States.

The Great Lakes Region branch of Home Grown by Sysco offers everything from specialty fish, chicken and cheese to artisan Bloody Mary mix.

“This is not only responsive to two-thirds of diners who say table-service restaurants must have locally sourced foods. This is about our commitment to small businesses – from independent restaurants to local suppliers – and the important role we play in their success and growth,” said Peter Peluso, Sysco’s Great Lakes Region president, who helped create the Home Grown by Sysco program.

The pilot program launching later in February will help Sysco improve software and identifiers to make the customer experience seamless and transparent prior to scaling it across North America.

“This program is a critical part of our recently launched sustainability strategy, which includes a commitment to building resilient supply chains and increasing product offerings from emerging suppliers,” Contreras said. “Such vibrant local supply chains are integral to our food system and play a crucial role in Securing the Future of Food for our customers and communities alike.”

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food and related products to customers who prepare meals away from home. This includes restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments, entertainment venues, and more. Sysco operates 339 distribution centers, in 10 countries, with 75,000 colleagues serving approximately 730,000 customer locations. The company generated sales of more than $81 billion in fiscal year 2025 that ended June 28, 2025.

As the world’s largest food-away-from-home distributor, Sysco offers customized supply chain solutions, bespoke specialty product offerings, and culinary support to drive customers to innovate and optimize their operations. We act as a trusted business partner to our customers, helping them grow through our industry-leading portfolio that includes fresh produce, premium proteins, specialty products, sustainably focused items, equipment and supplies, and innovative culinary solutions.

For more information, visit www.sysco.com. For important news and key information for Sysco investors, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at investors.sysco.com.

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In celebration of more than 25 years of service, Dress for Success New Orleans, or DSFNO, hosted its annual Styled for Success luncheon, powered by Entergy. The event honored the achievements of more than 15,000 women whose lives have been transformed through DFSNO’s programs. With more than 400 attendees, the luncheon highlighted the organization’s comprehensive initiatives that empower women to pursue their goals, advance their careers and build successful futures.

During the luncheon, Entergy’s Chief Financial Officer Kimberly Fontan offered welcoming remarks on behalf of the company as the title sponsor, and highlighted our company’s ongoing support for workforce development and community resilience. More than 20 Entergy lineworkers also participated in the program, walking the runway and escorting DFSNO clients and supporters in a show of solidarity and celebration for the women served.

“I am proud to join you as we celebrate more than a quarter century of empowering women toward self-sufficiency through career development, employment readiness and retention services,” said Fontan. “By partnering with our customers, our employees, our communities, and organizations like Dress for Success, we lift up the people who live and work here.”

 

 

 

 

 

Dress for Success New Orleans delivers a full suite of services designed to promote long-term success: professional suiting, career development and retention support, financial education, self-care programming, mentorship and networking opportunities. Entergy is proud to stand with DFSNO as they continue empowering women to step confidently into their next chapter in life.

“Dress for Success New Orleans is about more than just providing clothing,” said Dinah Campbell, executive director of DFSNO. “Our mission is to empower women, build their self-esteem, develop their skills and foster a supportive community where they can thrive.”

At Entergy, giving back in the communities we serve is central to who we are. Our partnership with DFSNO reflects our commitment to equitable opportunity and economic mobility — providing women the tools, mentorship and confidence they need to pursue careers and build stronger futures. Working alongside customers, employees and community organizations, we continue to invest in programs that produce measurable, lasting benefits for families and neighborhoods across our footprint. Learn more here.

View original content here.

LINCOLN, Neb., March 18, 2026 /3BL/ – This April, the Arbor Day Foundation is launching the Million Trees Project, assembling the world’s largest collection of personal tree stories as it plants 1 million new trees this spring season.

“We’ve received thousands of photos and stories over the years of trees and the people who love them,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “From cherished oaks that shaded a childhood backyard to young saplings planted in honor of someone special. Each one is a reminder of how trees connect us across communities and across generations. Everyone has a tree story and we want to hear yours.”

Everyone can be part of the Million Trees Project in the weeks ahead of National Arbor Day, celebrated annually on the last Friday in April. To share a photo or story about a tree you love, visit arborday.org/celebrate.

The Arbor Day Foundation has spent decades elevating community tree planting efforts across the country and planted millions of trees in cities and towns as a result. The Foundation, along with its members and supporters, routinely gets more than a million trees planted in front yards, backyards, and community green spaces every spring. Some of this work was achieved through the Foundation’s iconic urban forestry program Tree City USA, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.  

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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At Henkel, our pioneers are driven by an unwavering spirit to explore, create, and transform possibilities into progress and improve life for generations to come. Learn their stories.

In this story, you will discover:

• Sustainability Forward at Henkel: Brittany’s role in leading waste reduction and reuse efforts at its Elgin, IL site
• Building a Culture of Care: How fostering connection and accountability keeps people safe every day
• Caring Beyond the Site: Coaching, STEM mentorship, and everyday sustainability habits that reflect Brittany’s commitment to the good of generations

Introducing Brittany Bauer

Brittany Bauer, Senior Safety, Health and Environmental (SH&E) Specialist for Henkel’s Elgin, IL, site, supports a culture where safety and sustainability go hand in hand. With a people-first approach and a strong sense of responsibility, Brittany helps ensure the site continues to operate with care for employees, the surrounding community, and future generations.

Brittany shares what inspires her to be a pioneer for good

Sustainability Forward at Henkel

Brittany’s work at the Elgin site sits at the intersection of operational excellence and environmental responsibility. She is energized by seeing sustainability transform from an idea to a tangible impact, and how the changes she is supporting can create a positive ripple effect.

A major focus of Brittany’s work is leading the waste management program, where she’s focused on uncovering the next opportunity to eliminate waste before it’s created. Effective waste management is an important part of Henkel’s 2030+ Sustainability Ambition Framework.

One of Brittany’s key initiatives was rethinking how materials such as pallets and drums were managed on site. The goal was to find opportunities for these materials to be reused before recycling them, helping to extend the lifecycle of the material. Brittany worked with her team to find the right partners and as a result, was able to significantly reduce waste output, reinforcing Henkel’s shared commitment to responsible operations and building connections in the community.

“We used to have a vendor that would take our pallets and recycle them into mulch,” says Brittany. “I was able to find a local vendor who comes on site, picks them up, and reuses them as is and that saved about 200 tons of waste.”

Working alongside her team, Brittany also helped support a water reduction project, leading to 15,000 cubic meters of water reduced at the Elgin site. For Brittany, achievements like these reflect more than operational progress – it’s the kind of forward-thinking approach that has contributed to Henkel’s long-standing success.

As Henkel celebrates its 150th year in 2026, Brittany sees the anniversary theme ‘Future? Ready!’ as a reminder to plan for tomorrow while accelerating and improving the steps that can be taken today. From goal setting to long-term capital projects, Brittany is looking forward to the opportunities ahead.

Building a Culture of Care

At Henkel ‘Safety’ comes first. Brittany is a proud member of the Safety, Health and Environment (SH&E) team and that shift in positioning was something she felt spoke volumes about Henkel’s values and reinforced her beliefs.

For Brittany, safety is more than a program; it ultimately comes down to caring for each other. Brittany prioritizes connection across shifts and creates an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up, asking questions, and raising concerns.

“I think culture is such a large part of safety. It comes down to making sure your team feels comfortable talking to you. I build very strong relationships and want everybody to go home in the same way they arrived.”

Brittany Bauer, Senior Safety, Health and Environmental (SH&E) Specialist

Brittany was named a 2026 STEP Ahead Award winner, a national recognition honoring outstanding leaders in manufacturing who are driving impact within their companies and communities while shaping the future of the industry.
THEMANUFACTURINGINSTITUTE.ORG 

Caring Beyond the Site

Brittany’s commitment to care extends from her co-workers to the community. For over a decade, she has been a youth tennis coach to help students, especially girls, build confidence and resilience.

That mentorship mindset also drives Brittany’s passion for inspiring young people to explore STEM. She has visited schools to speak with students about opportunities in STEM and share insights from her career. Through these conversations, she encourages them not to be afraid of challenges and to see failure as an important part of growth.

At home Brittany lives sustainably by growing vegetables and herbs to share with neighbors. She also adopted her dog Ellie from a local shelter.

From Henkel to home, Brittany is motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact in the world around her through simple choices every day and one simple belief:

“You want to leave it in a better condition than you started with.”

Originally published on PSEG NewsRoom

NEWARK, N.J., March 18, 2026 /3BL/ – Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) is proud to announce we have been honored with three national distinctions that reflect our focus on the people and communities we serve: recognized as the JUST Capital 2026 Industry Leader for Utilities, ranked among the top ten of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2026 by Newsweek and Statista and named one of America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 by Newsweek and Statista.

Together, these awards reflect the dedication and passion of our employees, whose hard work makes these achievements possible, and underscores our focus on responsible business practices, strengthening communities and ensuring our customers are at the center of everything we do.

“We know many residents and communities are struggling and we take our responsibility as ‘public service’ very seriously. Working to make the communities we serve better places to live continues to be central to our business strategy,” said Rick Thigpen, PSEG senior vice president for Corporate Citizenship. “We are extremely proud of these recognitions. They demonstrate the pride our organization continues to have for being a solid partner to the amazingly diverse communities and customers we serve. We are proud to be acknowledged for treating our employees with respect and conducting our operations responsibly. None of this would be possible without our employees, whose hard work, generosity, and community spirit makes PSEG’s impact possible.”

Named Industry Leader for Utilities

PSEG was recognized as the top utility in JUST Capital’s 2026 annual rankings of leadership performance by national companies on a range of issues related to workers, customers, communities, the environment and governance. This ranking utilizes insights from polling to determine what the public prioritizes regarding corporate behavior and assesses over 900 companies based on a proprietary methodology. PSEG performed especially well in the areas of career development, charity and giving, human rights and opportunities for local businesses.

Recognition as a JUST Capital Industry Leader highlights how PSEG’s approach to workforce investment and community partnership helps strengthen trust with employees, customers, communities and shareholders. Our customers and communities stay secure and thrive when PSEG brings reliable power, responsive service and safe infrastructure.

Among Top 10 Most Responsible Companies Nationally

PSEG was recently named in the top 10 of Newsweek and Statista’s America’s Most Responsible Companies 2026. The company ranked number nine on the list of 600 companies evaluated for their community support, sustainability initiatives and workforce benefits.

The award demonstrates PSEG’s long-term approach to conducting our operations in a thoughtful way that factors in the environment, our customers and the needs of the communities across our service territory where our employees live alongside our customers. For example, our Gas System Modernization Program has reduced methane emissions in our communities by approximately 245,000 metric tons of CO2e from 2018 to 2025, based on company estimates. Programs like this also help strengthen system reliability, improve safety and support long-term performance across our operations.

One of America’s Most Charitable Companies

Newsweek and Statista’s America’s Most Charitable Companies 2026 highlights organizations that demonstrate leadership in corporate philanthropy, transparency and community impact. PSEG’s inclusion reflects the company’s longstanding aim to strengthen the communities we serve, both through corporate social responsibility work and the PSEG Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3), an approach that helps support communities and PSEG’s long-term reputation in those communities.

In 2025, about 2,300 PSEG employees volunteered about 15,000 hours to organizations across our communities.

The PSEG Foundation has awarded nearly $138 million over the past 25 years to community partners. Over the past decade, PSEG has contributed an additional $40 million to community-based initiatives. In 2025, PSE&G and the PSEG Foundation together contributed $12.8 million to organizations across our service territory.

Across all three recognitions, PSEG’s focus remains the same: providing safe, reliable service, supporting the well-being of our people and communities and maintaining the strong operational and governance practices that underpin long-term value creation and sustain trust in the services we provide. PSEG is honored to be recognized among the nation’s top companies and will continue investing in initiatives that create lasting, positive impact for our people and the communities we serve.

About PSEG
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG) is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company operating New Jersey’s largest transmission and distribution utility, serving approximately 2.4 million electric and 1.9 million natural gas customers. PSEG also owns an independent fleet of 3,758 MW of carbon-free, baseload nuclear power generating units in NJ and PA. PSEG aims to power a future where people use energy more efficiently, and it’s safer and delivered more reliably than ever. PSEG is a member of the S&P 500 Index and has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for 17 consecutive years. PSEG’s businesses include Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), PSEG Power and PSEG Long Island (https://corporate.pseg.com).

About PSEG Foundation
The PSEG Foundation 501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), prioritizes investments in promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. 
 

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE:ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has been recognized as one of the 2026 World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

This is the 18^th time Rockwell has been included on this prestigious list which honors companies that demonstrate exceptional leadership and a commitment to business integrity through best-in-class ethics, compliance, and governance practices.

“Being recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies is a meaningful reflection of the values we live every day. Integrity is not just a principle we talk about—it’s how we show up every day for each other and for our customers,” said Rockwell Chairman and CEO Blake Moret. “This honor demonstrates the way our teams consistently choose to do what’s right and the deep commitment of our people to serve our customers with transparency, accountability, and care. We’re proud of this honor, and even more proud of the values that guide how we operate and the trust we strive to earn in every interaction.”

Ethics and integrity are among Rockwell’s highest scoring drivers of employee engagement, nurtured and cultivated through a robust commitment and a strong “speak up” mindset, including the company’s long-standing Ombuds program which celebrated its 40^th anniversary in 2025. Rockwell also requires 100% of its Board of Directors, employees, and contractors to complete annual ethics training.

Rockwell was one of 138 honorees recognized in 2026 and is one of only two honorees in the Diversified Machinery industry. The ranking spans 17 countries and 40 industries. View the full list of 2026 honorees.

“Congratulations to Rockwell Automation, Inc. for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. As we mark the 20^th class of honorees, this group continues to raise the bar for business integrity by embedding ethics into everyday decision-making and long-term strategy. Companies with strong ethics, compliance, and governance programs are built for better long-term performance,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair.

Learn more about Rockwell’s commitment to ethics and integrity.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

COLUMBUS, Ga., March 18, 2026 /3BL/ — Aflac Incorporated, the leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S.,¹ announced today that the company has once again been named by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a World’s Most Ethical Company. This marks the 20^th consecutive year that Aflac has appeared on the prestigious list, making it the only insurance company, and one of only six companies in the world, to bear this distinction since the award’s inception in 2007.

“This recognition from Ethisphere for 20 consecutive years is extremely gratifying for our company, as it serves as a consistent stamp of approval for the ethical actions of our employees and company leaders,” Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. “Given how today’s consumers consider the values of companies the same way investors measure company performance, no one should be surprised that companies that conduct themselves ethically, often perform better.”

Aflac has a long history of providing support for communities, including a 30-year commitment to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Since 1995, Aflac, along with its dedicated independent sales teams and employees, has contributed nearly $200 million to this cause. The company also prioritizes transparency and strict adherence to regulatory and compliance matters to help ensure customer satisfaction and returns to shareholders.

“Congratulations to Aflac for achieving recognition as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. As we mark the 20th class of honorees, this group continues to raise the bar for business integrity by embedding ethics into everyday decision-making and long-term strategy. Companies with strong ethics, compliance and governance programs are built for better long-term performance,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair.

In 2026, 138 honorees were recognized, spanning 17 countries and 40 industries. This year’s class includes 19 first-time honorees and only six organizations that have been recognized 20 times.

Methodology & Scoring The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, which requires companies to provide 240+ documented proof points on practices that support robust ethics and compliance, including: corporate governance; program structure & resourcing; written standards; training, awareness, & communication; risk assessment & auditing; investigations, enforcement, discipline & incentives; measurement of ethical culture; third-party risk management, and environmental & social impact. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world. Honorees To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website: https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

ABOUT ETHISPHERE

Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, and deliver business success. Companies turn ethics, compliance, and culture into a business advantage by leveraging Ethisphere’s data-driven program & culture assessments featuring the latest guidance and the practices of hundreds of global organizations across the 8 pillars of an ethical culture, and 240+ ethics, compliance, social, and governance data points delivered through a proprietary software platform. Ethisphere also honors superior integrity programs through World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition, brings together a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and advances ethical business practices through the Global Ethics Summit, Ethisphere Magazine, and the Ethicast podcast. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for nearly seven decades to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.¹ In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force. The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 20 consecutive years (2026) and Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 24 years (2025). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021 and has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index (2024) for 11 years. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”

¹ LIMRA 2024 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report

Media contact: Jon Sullivan, 706-763-4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com

Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Continental American Insurance Company | Columbia, SC

SOURCE Aflac

CORAL GABLES, Fla., March 18, 2026 /3BL/ – For a sixth consecutive year, Bacardi USA has been named “Best Large Spirits Supplier” at the 2026 Vibe Conference, widely regarded as a leading event dedicated to the on-premise beverage industry. Winners are selected exclusively by national account operators, making this award a direct reflection of the strong customer relationships, service excellence, and consistent leadership of Bacardi.

“As a family-owned company for more than seven generations, understanding the value of relationships has been foundational to the building of the Bacardi legacy,” says Rohith Reddy, Vice President, On-Premise, Bacardi. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from our customers. We have outstanding brands, the most talented people, and partners who trust us to exceed expectations. This win reflects our unwavering commitment to putting relationships first.”

For more than ten years, the Supplier Awards have invited beverage operators to rate their respective supplier companies on key attributes. The results are based on comprehensive research from food and beverage industry research and consulting firm CM Profit’s annual On-Premise Partnering Study. Through in-depth live interviews with 56 leading operators, CM Profit gathered assessments of supplier service performance across the industry. Winners were then identified in four categories including beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcohol beverages, categorized by total annual case volume.

The 2026 Vibe Conference was produced by Questex and took place on February 23-25 in San Diego, California.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of family-owned Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whisky, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

About Vibe Conference 
Bringing together national and regional chain, hotel, cruise, airline, and concessionaire beverage executives with the suppliers shaping the market, Vibe delivers the industry’s most innovative conference program. Each year, the application-only event features ROI-driven content, curated tastings, and exclusive experiences designed to spark profitable partnerships and inspire the future of on-premise beverage programs.

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