Empowering women critical to Kellogg sustainability efforts

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- International Women's Day (IWD) is held annually on March 8, and around the world it is a cause for celebration for women's social, economic and political achievements. In fact, in some countries – China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, to name a few – IWD is a national holiday. It's also a day to promote greater equality.

For companies like Kellogg, women are critically important at every level, within our company, with our consumers and in our supply chain. To better understand the importance of women to our ingredient supply in particular, Diane Holdorf, Kellogg Chief Sustainability Officer, dives deeper into the topic. In honor of IWD, Diane was named a "Super Woman" in 2015 by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), part of the Global Consortium of International Agricultural Research centers (CGIAR) focused on corn and wheat, and an important partner to the Kellogg Company.

Q: Congratulations on being named a "Super Woman" by CIMMYT. What does this honor mean to you?
A: I am both surprised and so honored to know that our work has been an inspiration within the company – and more importantly, that our sustainability goals are really embraced. We strive to educate employees about responsible sourcing and the important role women play in growing our ingredients. Externally, we are beginning to see that our customers, suppliers and other external partners recognize and respect the resources we're putting behind our social and environmental sustainability as well.  And we know this work can deliver value for our brands as well by building trust in our company and our foods with consumers.

Q: Why is it important to celebrate IWD?
A: Women play a critical role in our business – they help grow our ingredients, supply our materials, market our brands and buy our foods. It's important to acknowledge how far we've come but also necessary to remind ourselves that there's a still a long road ahead to empower women in the marketplace, workplace and community.

Q: Tell us more about that "long road" toward empowering women. Are women considered more at risk and vulnerable in certain areas?
A: Around the world there are stark differences between the access to education, resources, pay and legal rights between women and men. My travels have taken me to areas where women endure back-breaking work conditions but aren't legally or socially recognized for doing so. Where women don't have a voice in their communities. Where many barriers stand in the way of women being able to flourish and thrive.  

Q: Kellogg specifically called out women farmers and workers in its new sustainability commitments announced in August 2014. What are you doing to support them?
A: We bring women's empowerment to life in several ways. Through our work and ingredient sourcing, Kellogg has the opportunity to help improve the livelihoods of women.  And research has consistently shown that when women's livelihoods improve, they invest in their families and communities, helping themselves and others to thrive. We have very specific programs in Bolivia and Mexico that focus on women and smallholder farmers. And through the leadership of our Special K brand in Europe and in partnership with the nonprofit Chime for Change, we've helped raise awareness of the issues women face in Europe and across the globe, which led to crowdfunding of projects in the areas of health, education and justice, to improve women's and girls' lives.

Q: How do you ensure that your suppliers and business partners also value and drive similar behavior when it comes to women?
A: We expect our business partners to agree to the same standards outlined in our Global Supplier Code of Conduct and our Global Code of Ethics. They prohibit discrimination against women farmers and workers and forbid the use of involuntary labor and child labor. As supporters of the UN's Women's Empowerment Principles, we believe in the health, safety, well-being and fair treatment of all workers, men and women. This aligns well aligns well with our K Values and our founder's philosophy of investing in people.

To learn more Kellogg Company's sustainability efforts, visit www.kelloggcompany.com or follow us on Twitter @KelloggCompany, YouTube and on Social K.

About Kellogg Company

At Kellogg Company K, we are driven to enrich and delight the world through foods and brands that matter. With 2014 sales of $14.6 billion and more than 1,600 foods, Kellogg is the world's leading cereal company; second largest producer of cookies, crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen foods company. Our brands – Kellogg's®, Keebler®, Special K®, Pringles®, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's Corn Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Cheez-It®, Eggo®, Mini-Wheats® and more – nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. Through our Breakfasts for Better Days^TM initiative, we're providing 1 billion servings of cereal and snacks – more than half of which are breakfasts – to children and families in need around the world by the end of 2016. To learn more, visit www.kelloggcompany.com or follow us on Twitter @KelloggCompany, YouTube and on Social K.

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SOURCE Kellogg Company