TORONTO, July 9, 2024
/CNW/ - Becel® Kind Hearts Fund announced its partnership with and
$500,000 donation to Second Harvest,
Canada's largest food rescue
organization. Becel Kind Hearts Fund's annual donation
spreads kindheartedness by supporting local charities that get food
onto the plates of Canadians faced with food insecurity.
Second Harvest anticipates that more than one million
Canadians are expected to access food charity for the first time in
their lives in 2024, an 18% increase in demand for food donations
in Canada since 2023.
Understanding this growing need, Becel® Kind Hearts Fund is
committed to supporting Second Harvest's core work of keeping food
where it belongs: on Canadians' plates and out of Canada's landfills.
"At Becel, we believe kind hearts are strong hearts, and
strong hearts do more good," says Mandy
Au, Head of Marketing, Upfield Canada. "Becel Kind Hearts
Fund is thrilled to sponsor Second Harvest, a reputed organization
that shares the goals of embracing kindheartedness and getting
sustenance to Canadians faced with food insecurity."
As a brand, Becel has made it its mission to inspire Canadians
to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating better, staying active and
doing good in the world. In the spring of 2020, Becel launched the
Kind Hearts Fund, an initiative that that was created to address
the immediate needs brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, including
the growing issue of food insecurity. Subsequently, Becel
Kind Hearts Fund pledged to donate $500,000 annually to food banks across
Canada. In 2023, the Fund donated $500,000 to 14 local charities across
Canada. And in 2024, Becel seeks to deepen its impact with
this $500,000 donation to the
country's largest food rescue organization, Second Harvest.
Consumers are tasked to support Becel's mission simply by buying
their favourite Becel® products.
"With this incredible contribution, Becel is not just
donating money, they're igniting hope, nourishing communities and
paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable
future." Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest said.
"Non-profit organizations and thousands of people across
Canada will directly benefit from
Becel's Kind Hearts initiative, and we are immensely grateful to
play a part in this important work. With partners like Becel by our
side, we know we can move the needle on food insecurity and food
waste in communities throughout the country together."
To learn more, visit Becel® Kind Hearts Fund's
website
About UPFIELD:
Upfield, the future of great-tasting food, is the global
leader in plant-based food, driving positive change for both people
and the planet in four key categories: Butters and Spreads, Creams,
Liquids and Cheese. Upfield's iconic brands – including Flora,
Becel + ProActiv, Rama, Country
Crock, BlueBand and Violife – as well as dozens of local jewels,
are well recognized and enjoyed by consumers the world over.
Upfield's investment in R&D allows it to constantly push
boundaries, with more than 150 Upfield food scientists and
specialists working at its state-of-the-art Wageningen Food Science
Centre in the Netherlands.
Upfield's brands are made in 14 wholly-owned manufacturing sites
and shared across 90 countries. Upfield's purpose - to make people
healthier and happier, with nutritious and delicious, natural,
plant-based food that is good for you and for our planet - is at
the heart of every decision it makes. In Canada, Upfield is headquartered in
Toronto, Ontario, with a
manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ontario
For more information, visit https://www.upfield.com.
About Second Harvest:
Second Harvest is Canada's largest food rescue organization and
is a global thought leader on perishable food redistribution. We
work with thousands of food businesses from across the supply chain
to redirect unsold surplus food to non-profit organizations that
feed communities in every province and territory. By keeping
perfectly edible food from ending up in landfill and redirecting it
to the charitable sector, our work prevents harmful greenhouse
gases from entering the atmosphere and improves access to nutrition
for the millions of people in Canada experiencing food insecurity.
In addition to our core work of food rescue, Second Harvest
produces research on food loss and waste, provides education and
training for the charitable food sector and has developed the
Second Harvest Food Rescue App to facilitate direct donations from
food businesses to local non-profits across Canada.
To learn more, visit www.secondharvest.ca
SOURCE Becel