General Mills is one of the nation's largest food production companies. They are well known for their breakfast cereals, yogurts and desserts. Some of the most popular brands on grocery store shelves are owned by General Mills. A few of those big names include Yoplait, Progresso, Cascadian Farm and Hamburger Helper. Their products are being sold all over the world.
The successful food company is trying to use their big name to help those suffering in Africa from hunger. General Mills employees have done things like volunteer their time packing meals for them. Recently, they decided to do other things in order to help the cause.
In 2009 they founded the nonprofit organization, Partners In Food Solutions. They collaborate with companies such as Technoserve and Cargill. Ken Powell, General Mills Chairman and chief executive officer, explains "In sub-Saharan Africa, more than a quarter of the food produced rots due to poor harvest or storage techniques. I felt that a food company like General Mills could really make a sustainable impact to change that".
General Mills along with the other companies involved with Partners In Food Solutions donate a large portion of their time to helping Africa. The organization allows companies to share their expertise and educate those throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. They are helping 250 food processors and millers by their knowledge in regards to technology and business.
According to Ventures online, the foundation has already worked with 40 food processors in Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi, on over 120 projects sourcing from more than 100,000 smallholder farmers who support an estimated 600,000 family members. It plans to broaden this work in the next five years to include as many as 10 corporate partners, working with 200 Africa-based food processors, who purchase from more than 500,000 smallholder farmers in as many as 12 African nations.
General Mills is proving to the world they are much more than a well know food Production Company. They are using their success to do positive things throughout the world. Sometimes companies forget how important it is to help those in need; it is nice to see that they have not.
