First-of-its-kind partnership gives more
Black farmers access to technical assistance and
education
CHICAGO, Feb. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1920, approximately 14
percent of farmers in the United
States were Black. Today, according to the latest estimates
from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, only 1.3 percent of
America's almost 3.4 million farmers are Black*.
Recognizing this disparity in farming equity,
Eggo® is entering into a partnership with
the National Black Growers Council (NBGC), a farmer-run
organization dedicated to improving the efficiency, productivity
and sustainability of black row crop farmers.
Eggo® is proud to support the NBGC, which
advocates for the best interests of Black farmers locally,
statewide, and nationally.
Fostering technical expertise in Black farmers
Through this partnership, Eggo® is providing
grants that aim to nurture the development of member famers while
pushing forward NBGC's mission. This includes:
- Mini grants for technical assistance, such as supporting
farmers who host educational Model Field Days designed to educate
visiting farmers on the latest farming and agricultural
techniques;
- Financial support for Black growers who would like to attend
Field Days or the NBGC Annual Meeting;
- Participation in the NBGC Advisory Board;
- Sponsorship of the NBGC Annual Meeting; and
- Funding for a Model Field Day designed to
educate Eggo® and Kellanova employees on the
importance of Black growers and how best to fulfill their needs as
a partner.
"Eggo is partnering with the National Black Growers Council
because we know that being a farmer isn't a job—it's a way of life,
and it's where all our food begins. As Eggo is committed to making
mornings easier for all families, we are also committed to
supporting the wellbeing of the people who contribute to the food
value chain generally, including farming communities," says
Joe Beauprez, Senior Director of
Marketing for Frozen Foods at Kellanova. "Through programs like
this one, Eggo is playing an important part in the Kellanova Better
Days Promise mission of creating better days for people and the
planet through responsible and sustainable business practices."
Eggo and NBGC: A pioneering partnership
NBGC's partnership with Eggo® is the first of
its kind between the organization and a brand, and it has already
made a significant direct impact on its members. In December 2023, Eggo® sponsored
the registration fees for 150 Black farmers and growers attending
the NBGC Annual Meeting; attendance was up 50 percent compared to
the previous year.
"We're incredibly excited by the potential impact that this
partnership with Eggo will have on our organization and members, as
well as on the role Black farmers play in the greater industry,"
says Elzadia Washington, program
director, National Black Growers Council. "Our organization
represents generations of Black farmers. We need engaged partners
like Eggo who are willing to not only support existing members, but
also to listen and work with us to help ensure that the rich legacy
and contribution of Black farmers continues for generations to
come."
#BetterDays for the communities we serve
The 2023 NBGC Annual Meeting also saw Debra Quade, supplier diversity manager at
Kellanova, participate in a panel discussion aimed at educating
farmers on collaboration with corporate buyers. Quade, an expert in
diverse supply chains, discussed the opportunities available to
Black farms to be part of corporate supply chains.
"Kellanova works to conduct business with diverse suppliers who
represent our consumers and the communities where we live and work"
says Quade. "At the same time, we want to ensure our customers,
employees and supplier partners benefit from our partnerships. When
our brands, like Eggo, engage with groups like the NBGC, we bring a
higher volume of innovation and unique ideas to the table."
The partnership between Eggo® and NBGC is one
of the ways Kellanova and its iconic brands are bringing the
Kellanova Better Days™ Promise to life. Kellanova is committed to
advancing sustainable and equitable access to food, creating better
days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030.
*Source: USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture – Black
Producers report
About Kellanova
Kellanova (NYSE: K) is a leader in
global snacking, international cereal and noodles, and North America frozen foods, with a legacy
stretching back more than 100 years. Powered by differentiated
brands including Pringles®, Cheez-It®, Pop-Tarts®, Kellogg's
Rice Krispies Treats®, RXBAR®, Eggo®, MorningStar Farms®, Special
K®, Coco Pops®, and more, Kellanova's vision is to become the
world's best-performing snacks-led powerhouse, unleashing the full
potential of our differentiated brands and our passionate
people.
Kellanova is guided by our purpose to create better days and a
place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands. We
are advancing sustainable and equitable access to food by
addressing the intersection of hunger, sustainability, wellbeing,
and equity, diversity & inclusion, with the ambition of
creating Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030 (from
a 2015 baseline). Visit www.Kellanova.com for more
information.
About National Black Growers Council
The National
Black Growers Council (NBGC) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit
organization. Our mission is to improve the efficiency,
productivity & sustainability of Black Row Crop Farmers. NBGC
promotes working smarter and being aggressive adapters of
technology and programs that will help Black farmers be more
efficient. We are multigenerational producers who advocate for the
best interests of black farmers locally, statewide and nationally.
NBGC represents the unique needs of Black farmers. We have
partnerships with each other, majority farmers, corporations, and
others because we all contribute to our global food supply.
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SOURCE Kellanova