At Post Consumer Brands, we’re committed to ensuring that our products and cereals that don’t go on the shelf, instead go to those who need it most through hunger donations.
According to the United Nations, there is enough food in the world to feed everyone, but more than 820 million people globally are facing hunger insecurity. The USDA estimates about 30-40% of food in the U.S. is wasted, instead of going to those who need it. One of the top ways to stop world hunger is to reduce food waste.
Through our responsibility commitments to strengthening communities and preserving our natural resources, Post’s food donations aim to fight hunger and reduce food waste. In 2021, Post Consumer Brands donated more than 45 million bowls of cereal to hunger relief efforts nationwide. That equals almost 450,000 boxes and bags of cereal, or 4 million pounds.
Donating Cereals & Snacks to Local Food Banks
Post partners with Feeding America to identify the closest food banks to our distribution facilities around the country and send products there frequently.
Post manufacturing plants will also often set aside cereal and snack products for donations in their local communities. There are times when retail stores return the product if the outside of the case was damaged or the wrong product was shipped. In those situations when the product is still safe and delicious, Post donates it to the closest food bank or food shelf that needs cereal and snacks. Cereal is often an extremely popular item in food banks, as a quick and nutritious breakfast for families.
Jill Bollettieri, Post’s senior vice president of external relations and general counsel, serves on the board of directors for Second Harvest Heartland, Minnesota’s largest food bank, and leads the product and hunger donation efforts.
“We’re inspired by the dedicated team members who work at Post and the people who enjoy our product. If our product can’t end up on store shelves, we want it to end up in the hands of those who need it most,” said Bollettieri, “Post Consumer Brands has always been committed to donating product when possible. We also proactively set aside product for donations to the communities where our facilities are located.”
By ensuring excess product is donated and doesn’t go to a landfill, Post is able to tackle both food waste and hunger relief. We’re working towards eventually ending hunger in our communities and making sure everyone has access to a hearty and delicious breakfast.
If you’d like to learn more about the link between hunger relief and food waste, listen to Jill Bollettieri discuss this topic on Second Harvest Heartland’s podcast, Hunger and the Environment.