Panera Bread has become the first restaurant chain to include climate-friendly labels on their menu. Now offering Cool Food Meals, Panera's new menu labels account for 55% of their entrees, with the intent to fight climate change by reducing their carbon footprint - and encouraging their customers to do the same.
This move makes sense in light of the serious nature of climate change and the impact that corporations have on greenhouse gas emissions. According to a 2019 report from the United Nations (U.N.), worldwide food systems are responsible for a staggering 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. When it comes to Panera, over half of the chain's carbon footprint is generated from their food service endeavors.
"At Panera, we are passionate about keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do, and that includes giving our guests choices to lower their impact on climate change through the food they eat in our bakery-cafes," said Niren Chaudhary, Panera CEO. "With 55% of Panera entrees certified as Cool Food Meals, our guests have many options for delicious food with a lower carbon footprint, from salads to soups to sandwiches. Understanding the impact of what we eat on the environment is one way we can all take a small step toward combating climate change - so as a food company, we feel a strong responsibility to share this information and empower our guests to help make a difference."
While these efforts may be admirable to some, however, others may be skeptical of the intent behind labeling menu items as climate-friendly. But to those who value combating climate change, purchasing a climate-friendly menu option from Panera may seem quite appealing.
"There's a natural skepticism that consumers have any time companies get involved in environmental or social responsibility initiatives," said Daniel Korschun, associate marketing professor at Drexel University. "If a company is able to make some credible claims on these types of initiatives, then it can really drive some loyalty on the part of consumers because they're purchasing more than just the product, they're purchasing an affirmation of who they are and what they stand for personally."
Back in 2016, Panera pledged to lower their carbon emissions by 15% per square foot by 2022.