Big Goals Mean Big Impact for McDonald's
Cargill helps the global fast-food chain achieve its goals for sustainable, responsibly owned supply chains and more.
January 01, 2015
Every two years, McDonald’s recognizes the sustainability accomplishments of its global suppliers with its Best of Sustainable Supply Awards. In 2014, the restaurant chain received nearly 600 submissions. From that pool, 51 honors were given across eight categories. McDonald’s awarded seven honors to Cargill, applauding their long-time partner for its economical, environmental and ethical achievements.
“This recognition by our long-term partners at McDonald’s is a great example of what Cargill is capable of accomplishing when we first align to our customer success criteria, then figure out how to engage the broader Cargill—and not the other way around.”
— Pete Richter, President, Cargill McDonald’s business
In the Economics category, Cargill was honored for its Cocoa Promise, an Africa-based initiative that teaches sustainable practices to smallholder farmers, improving yields, stabilizing trade flows and enriching local communities. Within the same category, Cargill won for its work with canola in Canada, harvesting more high-oleic canola on fewer acres of land, which reduces environmental impact.
In Animal Health & Welfare, Cargill was recognized for implementing renewable practices on chicken farms. The company also won in the Land & Biodiversity category for its improved corn growing practices in China. Cargill captured a Climate Change & Energy award for its Truvia® sweetener program, which has set environmental standards in stevia cultivation throughout South America and Asia.
Cargill won top honors in the Community Impact category as well. Its ongoing work with CARE is helping to reduce hunger, increase productivity and improve childhood education around the world. And in Indonesia, Cargill established a palm oil teaching farm where smallholders learn sustainable agricultural practices.
While the awards celebrate the hard work of Cargill employees, they also reinforce the two companies’ longstanding partnership and their shared values: taking an ethical, sustainable approach to every aspect of business.