Kellogg's achieves 100% responsible vanilla sourcing goal

Kellogg Company and its vanilla supplier, Symrise, have engaged in a joint three-year project in Madagascar to responsibly source 100% of Kellogg’s vanilla by 2020.

The partnership is supporting efforts to protect the land to help improve livelihoods of 1000 Malagasy smallholder vanilla farmers and their families in the Ankavanana region. The project trains farmers to become more climate and financially resilient, as well as educate on how to incorporate diverse crops on their land to increase access to more nutrients in the diet.

“This public–private partnership is an excellent example of our shared commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG#17 ‘Partnerships for the Goals’,” said Hamish Taylor, Symrise Advisor on Sustainability.

While Kellogg sources a very small amount of vanilla in its foods globally, the flavour is included in company’s products such as waffles, cereals and granolas.

Kellogg Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Senter said, “Farmers like those in Madagascar aren’t just growing vanilla for people around the world — they’re cultivating healthy soils, diverse ecosystems and strong communities. And across Kellogg, we want to help them do even more.”

“The program drives impact directly at the source of vanilla farming via our integrated supply chain,” said Yannick Leen, Global Competence Director Vanilla, Symrise. “The partnership highlights the value of our active and collaborative year-round presence in this unique region. In turn, it ensures the highest quality vanilla, brings certainty and creates shared value for farmers, as well as ensuring sustainability of supply.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Pierre-Yves Babelon