A Landmark Collaboration to Address Climate Change and Foster Sustainability
Today marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable future, as General Mills, Walmart, and Sam's Club announce a groundbreaking collaboration. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture on 600,000 acres in the U.S. by 2030. This acreage corresponds to the land from which General Mills sources key ingredients for its products sold through Walmart and Sam's Club.
The Role of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
The initial projects will be supported through grants administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). These grants will focus on advancing regenerative agriculture outcomes across a variety of crops, including wheat, in the Northern and Southern Great Plains. The targeted states include North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Minnesota—home to General Mills' global headquarters.
A Shared Vision for Regenerative Agriculture
Both General Mills and Walmart, along with Sam's Club, share a belief that regenerative agriculture can be a powerful tool in addressing climate change and creating positive outcomes for both people and the planet. "Through this partnership, we will work hand-in-hand to help regenerate the acres of land in the key regions where we source ingredients for our shared business," said Jon Nudi, Group President, North America Retail at General Mills.
Objectives and Outcomes
The program, administered by NFWF, will provide financial assistance to local grantee organizations. The aim is to build out the education and coaching resources needed to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture. The objectives are twofold:
1. Systems Change: To support the transition to regenerative agriculture production in the U.S.
2. Resilient Yields: To elevate the potential for more resilient yields for farmers through efforts that will improve soil health, watersheds, biodiversity, climate change, and farmer economic resilience.
"We're committing to making the everyday choice the more sustainable choice for consumers," said John Laney, Executive Vice President, Food at Walmart U.S.
Aligning with Individual Sustainability Goals
This collaboration is not just a one-off initiative but aligns closely with both companies' individual sustainability goals. It provides a roadmap for future collaborations across organizations and industries. General Mills is now on track to exceed its goal of advancing the adoption of regenerative agriculture on one million acres by 2030. Similarly, this initiative contributes to Walmart's goal to protect, manage, or restore at least 50 million acres of land by 2030.
In summary, this collaboration between General Mills, Walmart, and Sam's Club sets a precedent for how organizations can leverage their collective influence to drive meaningful change in the industry. It's a significant step towards a more sustainable and resilient food supply chain, benefiting not just the companies involved but also the planet and its inhabitants.
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