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The Importance Of Brand Support And Your Dollars

The trouble with consumerism is it’s superficial. We’re not really educated on brand support. We’re totally spoiled since we can buy anything, from anywhere, by just a click of a button. The shopping revolution has grown and evolved. Our generation thrives on it. The rise of population, production, and propulsion has interconnected people and products. So, this post is for the shoppers that want to shop consciously too make a difference in the world. Not just consume.

Brand support creates Iconic Brands

If you haven’t heard the name Mondelez International here’s your chance. Why would you want to learn about this company? Maybe because it has some of the most powerful and iconic brands in the world. Or maybe because it helps to know how large corporations are conducting business.

Either way who really has the time to do research on what these companies are up too? Not many people would put the time in when life is busy and time is so precious. I want to make it easier for readers to stop in, read a good post, and take whatever tidbit with you!

Who Is Mondelez International?

Founded in 1923, and formally known as the National Dairy Products Corporation. An entrepreneur named Thomas McInnereny went to the banks for financing his vision. His plan was to consolidate the fragmented ice cream industry. Therefore, he joined his company with Edward Rieck’s dairy company. Together they convinced the banks to invest in a roll-up strategy. In order to monopolize the ice cream industry, they quickly acquired 55 dairy businesses.

Mondelez International is now an American multinational confectionery company. Its sole responsibility has been to feed generations delicious snacks! They’re sweet and salty treats are brands that we’ve all grown up eating. From Oreos to Ritz crackers, they operate making 26 billion dollars a year in 160 countries. We’ve voted with our dollars and have offered this company 100% brand support!

Corporate responsibility

I’ve chosen to highlight this company because they monitor their carbon footprint. According to their website, they’re working to set achievable goals for 2020.

These science-based goals help to limit climate change to less than 2 degrees. Included in this plan is the reduction of CO2 emissions by 15% equalling the amount of 240,000 tonnes a year. They’re not doing this alone. They hired a group of people dedicated to keeping them on track!

CDP Disclosure Insight Action is a non-profit group working with investors, companies, and cities. They understand the need for urgent action to build a sustainable economy. Given that I’m glad to see there’s a third party looking out for the general public. It would be too easy for a company to sugarcoat the truth. Don’t mind the pun!

Furthermore, the short term plan is to reduce packaging by 65,000 tonnes. Plus, the paper sourced will come from recyclable paper found from sustainable sources. Although this may be true they’ve also said they no longer want to support verified non-deforested sources in their packaging.

Deforestation in the Industry

However, they`re part of a pool of 1050 corporations deemed to have a significant impact on forests. In 2018 they did not disclose or remain transparent when it came to the deforestation of forests around the world. In fact, they`ve declined to disclose their impacts in the past three years.

Global forests are losing 5 million hectares a year which is 15 football fields a minute. Companies like Mondolez use commodities such as palm oil that drive the deforestation.

The problem with deforestation is that it if we lose our trees then less CO2 can be absorbed. CDP data shows that 83% of corporate targets regarding deforestation are until 2020. Only 14% of deforestation targets have been extended beyond the year 2020.

Moreover, companies reported 30 billion dollars in losses due to the destruction of forests. Between crop failures, forest fires, and regulatory change it’s all taking a toll on business as usual. It’s crazy to think that the problem, which can be solved, is mostly ignored.

Delivering Results

In spite of, Mondolez has created the Harmony program, which involves 1,700 farmers, 13 Millers, and cooperatives across 6 markets. The program promotes biodiversity, conserves water and cares for the soil. For ten years, the program has reduced the use of pesticides in fields and farmers have planted 1026 Hectares of flowers. The flowers are responsible for maintaining bee populations. They also support 30 species of butterflies.

Below are the brands that Mondolez controls. By purchasing these items you are supporting their programs and policies that offer both positive and negative impacts on the environment. The question is do you think the positives outweigh the negative? If the negatives are too much to take then what will you do to make a change?

  • Belvita Breakfast,
  • Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate,
  • Chips Ahoy cookies,
  • Dentyne Gum
  • Enjoy Life Foods.
  • Halls,
  • Milka,
  • Nabisco Newtons,
  • Nilla,
  • Nutter Butter,
  • Oreo,
  • Premium Ritz Crackers.
  • Sour Patch kids,
  • Stride Gum,
  • Toblerone,
  • Tang,
  • Triscuits, and
  • Wheat Thins.
  • Kraft

Even though, their website paints a rosy picture telling us their story of corporate responsibility. Their efforts, through CPD, show us some kind of transparency. It seems their old ways and habits have been hard to break.

How you can make a change

We have the best chances now to make a large impact. With all the tools and education on the world wide web, we can use it to make a difference. Use my website as a bulletin for your conscious shopping needs because my goal is to make your job easier as a consumer.

A Sustainable economy is a thoughtful process developed and planned to change the world. It must be remembered that we’ve got to take the time out to plan for the future. It could be something as simple as baking your own cookies. Since baking reduces the amount of packaging used, plus it reduces the reliance on palm oil. This is a classic solution instead of offering brand support.

Every one of us has an obligation to make the world better off than we left it. Many people pour themselves into their family, work or volunteer life. But, sustainable lives requires the same thoughtful mindfulness each day. What are you going to do to minimize the impact of your carbon footprint?

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These 4 brands sell the most ethical dairy foods

There are 10% more Canadians concerned about farm animal welfare now than in recent years! The Dairy industry abides by the Canadian food inspection (CFIA) guidelines. However, there are some practices that are questionable. But, thankfully there are Canadian Farms dedicated to raising animals with an ethical Dairy approach. Support these companies looking to make a difference in the Dairy industry.

It’s not ethical Dairy if…

The Dairy food industry accounts for 18.9 Billion dollars of Canada’s annual GDP! It’s 215,000 Dairy workers who have mandatory routines to maximize profits. These routines are also not necessarily there for the welfare of the animal. There are 20,000 Dairy farms treating 1.2 million cows the same way.

For instance, a newborn Calf is separated from its Mother. Why? Because they drink the Mother’s milk supply. Or conversely, so we can drink the milk intended for them! As a Mother, this makes me angry. Everyone knows the separation of Mother and Baby causes major stress. They cry for one another and suffer emotional and physical pain.

Support a better way

At present, there are no governing laws making it mandatory for companies to label animal welfare. Yet, large factories are using marketing terms to hook “health conscience shoppers”.

Such as, natural, grain-fed or vegetarian. These labels do nothing to guarantee the welfare of a cow. Watch out for free-range labels, as well, because the CFIA doesn’t do any inspections.

What can Dairy drinkers do to make a difference? If you buy Organic Milk you’ll guarantee an animal a better life! They’ll have access to quality food, pastures, better indoor air quality, and space.

Most big farm factories treat their animals in tightly confined quarters with antibiotics. These animals are living with death and feces which is why they need it. However, an Organic cow is never treated with more than two rounds of antibiotics.

I’ve listed three companies that are trying to provide ethical dairy options for the consumer. They’re looking for ways to make a difference one way or another.

Ben and Jerrys

Firstly, we have Ben and Jerry’s nondairy ice cream which wins the medal for an ethical ice-cream product! They’ve created it with almonds but have kept their ice creams great tasting!

11 flavors fall into the zone

  • Cherry Garcia
  • Chocolate caramel cluster
  • Coffee caramel fudge
  • Chocolate cookie dough
  • Caramel almond brittle
  • Chocolate fudge brownie

B&J’s supports Fridays for Futures. They also believe that climate change is a big problem. They’ve put their pints of ice-cream on an endangered list due to global warming. Cocoa beans and nuts like almonds, pistachios, pecans, walnuts and coffee production will begin to suffer. Hot weather without cold spells will mark a time when production will decrease and prices for the commodity will increase.

Since 2002 they’ve launched a carbon offset program for their manufacturing facilities. Then in 2007, they created a global warming campaign. B&J’s teamed up with David Mathews to help send a message!

Climate change will change life as we know it! They have a long history in the fight to raise awareness for climate change! This company also strongly believes in fair trade with farmers.

They’ve sourced five major ingredients from farmers that treat people well. Cocoa, Sugar, Vanilla, Coffee, and Bananas all come with a certification of good ethics and great taste.

Activia

Next, Activia yogurt is a brand name you can look for while searching for an ethical dairy product. These flavors below do not contain Genetically Modified Organisms.

  • ACTIVIA Dailies:
  • Acai berry, blueberry
  • Cherry
  • Honey Ginger
  • Lemon Ginger
  • Mango Turmeric
  • Peach
  • Strawberry
  • Vanilla

Activia’s parent company Danone is part of the Certified B Corporation. This organization knows that the world’s problems cannot be solved by governments and nonprofit organizations alone.

The B Corp. “envisions an economy as a force for good.” Their shared core beliefs come from the idea that businesses must be the change the world seeks. 

They run ethical businesses, above all else… including profits. They follow a principle where each company is interdependent upon one another. Thus responsible for one another and future generations.

Oikos

Finally, the Oikos brand is serving up sweet and delicious yogurt and managing to align their goals to an ethical dairy cause. Global warming.

Triple zero boasts zero preservatives, zero artificial sweeteners, and zero fat. There are 14 flavors that don’t contain GMOs.

  • Blueberry
  • Cherry
  • Chocolate
  • Coconut
  • Coffee
  • Mango

Oikos’s also has a new Organic line with both plain and vanilla flavors which also do not contain GMOs.

Danone

Danone the parent company committed to becoming Carbon neutral as of 2050! From farms to facilities they are the first of 100 companies that align their carbon trajectory with the Paris agreement.

Equally important, a nonprofit initiative will govern the science-based target they intend to meet. Not only do they monitor their progress they’ll help them stay on track to reach their goal.

Danone has plans to take responsibility for their packaging by switching their current plastic packaging to Biomass bottles. However, not all biomass plastic degrades. It’s projected that the plastic industry is leaning into bio-based plastics that still won’t biodegrade properly.

The biomass plastic in many cases will only degrade in higher temperatures. So, there won’t be enough heat to make the biomass disappear when it’s dumped into the ocean.

It’s important that we support ethical Dairy companies when we’re shopping. Next time you’re at the grocery store and reach for your favorite Dairy product you’ll know more about the ones too trust.

You’ll know which brands have taken corporate responsibility to the next level. A place where corporate profits don’t rule the board meetings. They’ve taken social causes and animal welfare to the heart of their business.

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