Ferrero joins confectionery groups supporting delivering two billion charitable meals to US communities
Ferrero has joined forces with other key industry groups including Mondelez, General Mills and Unilever in support of the 12th annual Feeding America food bank scheme helping deliver two billion meals to communities in need, writes Neill Barston.
Operating throughout March, the venture, which is operating via Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, has seen the stores team up with their customers, members, suppliers and associates to help make a difference where it is needed.
As the collective explained, Walmart and Feeding America’s partnership began in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when Walmart Foundation made a $1 million donation for disaster relief.
In addition to that support – including major gifts in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 – multi-year investments from the supermarket chain and its foundation have helped fund Feeding America’s efforts to maximise food sourcing and sharing, as well as to expand its capacity to source and distribute food more efficiently to households experiencing food insecurity.
The annual donation campaign marks 20 years of partnership between Walmart, Sam’s Club and Feeding America that’s grown into what is considered one of the most transformative collaborations in the sector – with approximately $271 million in donations – including more than $177 million from the company and the Walmart Foundation and nearly $95 million from customers and members.
“Our extraordinary partnership is grounded in a shared belief that ending hunger in America is possible,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Feeding America’s CEO. “For two decades, Walmart and Sam’s Club have brought bold, impactful ideas to the table, and executed them consistently and with purpose. We are grateful for all they’ve done and all that’s to come.”
The 24 participating suppliers for this year’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign for Walmart have included: B&G Foods, Inc., Ben’s Original, Bush Brothers & Company, Celsius, The Coca-Cola Company, Conagra Foods, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, Ferrero USA, General Mills, Hershey Salty Snacks, Hidden Valley Original Ranch, Kellanova, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Kodiak, Kraft Heinz, Lipton Tea, Materne, Mondelez International, Olipop, Pepsi-Cola Advertising & Marketing, Inc., The Hain Celestial Group, WK Kellogg Co, Unilever and Utz Quality Foods.
