No Trix, Plenty of Chex

More than a lucky charm, General Mills sees CSR as an extension of its healthy foods branding.

Corporate social responsibility is not only the right thing for companies to do, but it also benefits business. Here’s a closer look at how General Mills approaches this global commitment.

Sustainability

A principal approach to sustainability is to become more eco-efficient, producing more from less. Reducing waste and pollution, using less energy, and using fewer material resources are not only beneficial to the environment, but also make great business sense.

For example, General Mills uses recycled or recyclable materials whenever feasible. In addition, the company has been researching ways to reduce packaging and for decades has used recycled materials for the production of paperboard, a product that is by nature made from recycled products. Today, the company is one of the largest users of recycled paperboard in the United States.

We’ve also made advancements in water conservation. In Irapuato, Mexico, we’re working with broccoli farmers to use more efficient drip irrigation, which is saving about 1.2 billion gallons of water per year—enough to supply the annual needs of about 33,000 people a year in the United States. Likewise, at our plant in Covington, Ga., we’ve built a state-of-the-art onsite wastewater treatment plant that has reduced its use of water by 46 percent, which is about 5.3 million gallons per month, or enough to supply about 1,000 homes.

Health and Wellness 

General Mills has viewed health as an opportunity for decades, and we have been nourishing families for many generations.  The company is helping make lives healthier in numerous ways, including increasing people’s intake of whole grain, by delivering important nutrients, by providing foods that contribute to a healthy heart, and by providing low calorie or portion-controlled options to help them manage their weight.

Over the past four years, we’ve improved the health profile of products that comprise 40 percent of the company’s U.S. retail sales. And we’re not finished— we’ve set new goals and continue to look for ways to improve the benefits of our products. 

Community Engagement 

Investing in the communities where we do business strengthens relationships with employees, suppliers, and customers, who are so important to our success. Since 2000, the company has contributed 5 percent of its pretax profits. In fiscal 2009, that amounted to more than $90.7 million to help alleviate hunger, advance nutrition wellness, and support education, social 

services, and arts and culture.

On a global front, General Mills scientists, engineers, agronomists, nutritionists, and other employees are sharing their technical expertise to help create sustainable agriculture and improve food processing through the African Women and Children’s Hunger project. In addition, the company has committed an initial $5 million to projects with partners that include CARE and Land O’ Lakes. The program is beginning to take root as grain processing techniques are now available to 15,000 villagers. Another 20,000 people have improved access to irrigation and water conservation systems. In addition, 2,800 women are participating in village savings and loan programs.

Employer of Choice 

General Mills devotes significant attention to shaping the culture as a dynamic, high-energy organization—one in which people work hard to achieve goals and are excited by challenges, yet, at the same time, one that does not require losing sight of family and community involvement. General Mills is frequently recognized for its great work place environment. This year the company was named to the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work list, and has been named as a 100 Best Companies to Work by Working Mother. But even more importantly General Mills employees think highly of the company, and in a most recent General Mills employee survey, 9 out of 10 employees rank the company as a great place to work. 

Every day, General Mills strives to live our mission of Nourishing Lives through our branded products, in the communities we serve, and in the way we work to preserve the environment for future generations. 

For General Mills, corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenship are a way of life.