The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has prompted significant philanthropic efforts across the globe — and the Soy Nutrition Institute (SNI) member companies have been a part of that movement.
Giving back has ranged from ensuring first responders have personal protection equipment (PPE) to donating meals and everything in between. Each company has taken an individualized approach to relieving the added stress on individuals and families worldwide.
“These are unprecedented times, and ADM is committed to doing our part to help address the tremendous need around the world right now,” said Chairman and CEO Juan Luciano. “We are proud to take part in Giving Tuesday’s efforts to unite companies, individuals, and communities around the world to tackle the great challenges brought on by the global fight against COVID-19.”
ADM has directed nearly $2 million to various local organizations to aid in addressing food assistance, hunger relief, and support to hospitals and first responders.
Baltimore-based Medifast initiated a partnership with No Kid Hungry to help make sure children who rely on free and reduced-price lunches at schools do not suffer from a lack of healthy food as schools transition to virtual classes across the country. The company also provided funding for laptops to be distributed to vulnerable students in the Baltimore community, ensuring they have access to the tools they need to continue their education from home.
As food insecurity grows worldwide, companies are working towards solutions.
“During times of crisis, the need to ensure access to food is critical,” Erin Richards-Kunkel, Director Strategic Partnerships and CSR at Herbalife Nutrition, wrote in a blog post.
Herbalife Nutrition is not only supporting large-scale responses to COVID-19 with partners including World Food Program USA, Feed the Children, and MedShare International but also community-based organizations worldwide through the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation. Soylent has donated more than 570,000 meals during the COVID crisis. Soylent has worked with a network of food banks for a number of years and has donated 3 million meals as part of these partnerships. And Kellogg has contributed more than $10 million to a variety of global hunger relief efforts.
“Despite the incredible obstacles that life is sending to all of us, it is extremely touching to see how humanity is capable of the best during this crisis,” Kris Bahner, Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Affairs at Kellogg, wrote in a blog post.
Impossible Foods has been donating 10,000 pounds of Impossible Burger every week for two months to food banks, following an initial 83,000-pound donation in March. Pharmavite has donated nearly $1.5 million in product to be distributed by trusted non-profit partners and food banks, and is also supporting hospital staffs in communities the company has roots in through product donations and meals provided by local food establishments. And Danone North America donated $1.2 million in funds, plus an additional $300,000 in product donations, to organizations making a local impact on food access in communities across the country. Danone North America also donated approximately 50,000 cups of yogurt including Activia®, Two Good®, Dannon®, Oikos®, and Light + Fit® and 56,000 Horizon Organic® milk boxes to Feeding Westchester to support residents in New Rochelle, New York, one of the communities that has been significantly affected by COVID-19.
“All around the world, people are facing unquantifiable unknowns with COVID-19. As such, there is a critical need for individuals and companies to step up and I’m proud to recognize our members for doing that,” Michelle Braun, president of SNI, said.
The Bomlitz, Germany site for DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences has produced more than 26 metric tons of hand sanitizer.
The United Soybean Board (USB) is working even more closely with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, American Soybean Association, and state soybean boards to protect and minimize the impacts to farmers and the soybean supply chain.
As the world continues to battle COVID-19, USB and the member companies which comprise SNI are set to continue doing all they can to support the efforts of those on the front lines and to relieve the added stress on families across the globe.
The Soy Nutrition Institute is a scientific organization dedicated to research on soy and health. Established in 2004, the organization includes a scientific advisory board and research and health professionals from soy-related companies and organizations including the United Soybean Board, DuPont, ADM, Kellogg, Danone North America, Medifast, Impossible Foods, Herbalife Nutrition, Soylent, House Foods America, Pharmavite, Agricultural Utilization Resource Institute (AURI), and the Soyfoods Council. To learn more about the Soy Nutrition Institute, visit www.thesoynutritioninstitute.com.