by Elizabeth Walters
Sporting Kansas City recently announced that packaging industry leader Huhtamaki will serve as the soccer club’s official supplier of eco-friendly packaging for the next five years.
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Huhtamaki, an organization with a longstanding reputation of excellence in sustainable food packaging,” Sporting Kansas City Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Jon Moses said. “We’re thrilled to work closely with a global leader in Huhtamaki and a world-class stadium in Children’s Mercy Park on an issue that matters so much to Sporting Kansas City. Together we will achieve a more sustainable future.”
The partnership serves as part of the company’s Sporting Sustainability effort. The ultimate objective is to reduce waste by replacing conventional products with compostable and recyclable options in all premium stadium areas.
Huhtamaki — with its North American plant in De Soto, Kan. — leads in providing sustainable packaging solutions, with a widespread manufacturing and sales network operating in 37 countries.
Ann O’Hara, the president of Huhtamaki North America, noted that the collaboration will help the club eventually achieve zero waste status.
“We applaud the sustainability efforts of Sporting KC and are excited to work toward zero waste at Children’s Mercy Park,” O’Hara said. “Working alongside Sporting Kansas City, we will demonstrate the circularity of packaging that is designed to protect food, people and the planet.”
The collaboration with Sporting KC will mark Huhtamaki’s first sports partnership. The deal will be recognized with the newly named Huhtamaki Shield Club at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. The Shield Club offers guests an exclusive indoor experience that showcases the stadium while featuring local cuisine, beverage services and a team apparel store.
Sporting KC’s Vice President of Hospitality, Marc Mulherin, said that the partnership will elevate the guests’ culinary experiences.
“We share the same vision to create a sustainable guest experience with our innovative culinary approach and our overall stadium food and beverage initiatives,” Mulherin said. “Offering an elevated food and beverage experience that focuses on environmental and sustainability efforts will be a continued approach for the 2023 season and beyond.”
Sporting KC eventually plans to expand the Huhtamaki packaging at other club facilities including Central Bank Sporting Complex, Compass Minerals National Performance Center, Compass Minerals Sporting Fields and Swope Soccer Village.
