Kellogg Co. promises 'better days' for 3 billion people, touts hometown investments
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As Kellogg Co. prepares for its transformation into three separate companies, the Battle Creek-based food manufacturer has shared an update on its promise to create "better days" in its hometown and across the globe.
Kellogg Co. released its environmental, social and governance report on Aug. 9, showing the progress of its ambitious "Better Days Promise" to make better days for 3 billion people by 2030.
Launched in 2019, the Better Days Promise is a strategy to advance sustainable and equitable access to food by addressing the intersection of wellbeing, hunger, sustainability, and equity, diversity and inclusion.
In its report highlighting achievements between 2015 and the end of 2021, the company stated that through the global initiative it has:
• Fed more than 800 million people.
• Fed over 219 million people, including 4.3 million kids, facing hunger or crisis with food donations around the world.
• Supported more than 445,000 farmers and agronomists, including 37,000 smallholders, or small scale farmers, 15,000 women and 2,500 agronomists.
• Achieved 29% of the electricity used from renewable sources and reduced water use by 24% in high-stress regions.
• Made 76% of its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable.
• Reduced food waste by 23%.
• Increased gender and diversity parity with 44.4% of management roles globally now filled by women and 22% of management roles in the U.S. filled by "underrepresented talent."
• Kellogg employees have volunteered over 106,000 hours in its communities around the world.
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In Battle Creek, the company highlighted its support for its hometown through:
• $25.3 in donations to the United Way of South Central Michigan Region over the last decade.
• Hundreds of thousands of pounds of food donated to the South Michigan Food Bank, where it donated $200,000 to support the creation of a new “clean room” and purchase three large vehicles.
• A $500,000 investment in the Battle Creek Small Business Loan Fund to foster entrepreneurialism.
• A $500,000 pledge to the Southwest Michigan Accelerator Kitchen to help launch new food businesses in the community.
• A $150,000 investment in Battle Creek Unlimited’s TRAIN program to incentivize employees to purchase homes in Battle Creek.
• The creation of a scholarship for students at Battle Creek Central High School to pursue a career in finance.
"Our founder, W.K. Kellogg, believed that part of running a good business was doing good for society," Kellogg chairman and CEO Steve Cahillane said in a release. "By purposefully integrating our ESG strategy – our Kellogg's Better Days Promise – into all aspects of our business, we're driving meaningful social impact and business results."
In June, Kellogg Co. announced that it will split into three companies, expected to be complete by the end of 2023. The global snacking headquarters will move to Chicago, with Battle Creek continuing to have a snack food campus, while Battle Creek will remain the world headquarters for its cereal and plant-based food entities.
The snack business, which accounts for about 80% of Kellogg sales, includes products such as Cheez-Its, Pringles and Eggo Waffles.
Kellogg's world headquarters at 1 Kellogg Sq. in downtown Battle Creek is currently undergoing a $3 million renovation of its entrance.
Kellogg's was founded in Battle Creek by W.K. Kellogg in 1906 as "Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company." Along with its world headquarters and the Porter Street plant, the city is also home of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which has one of the largest endowments in the world.
Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Kellogg Co. promises 'better days' for 3 billion people by 2030
