Hundreds Call on Kellogg’s to be a Forest Hero: Urged to End Partnership with World’s Least Sustainable Corporation

Grand Rapids – On Wednesday, members of the Forest Heroes Campaign held a day of action urging Kellogg’s to stop rainforest destruction. The event generated hundreds of phone calls from Grand Rapids parents, community members, shoppers, and students to Kellogg’s CEO John Bryant, demanding that he end Kellogg’s joint venture with Wilmar International until the Asian agribusiness company agrees to stop relying on palm oil from destroyed forests. Wilmar has twice been ranked by Newsweek as the least sustainable major company in the world. The event, organized by the Forest Heroes Campaign, was part of a statewide call-in day of action in order to compel the Michigan Company to live up to its reputation as one of Forbes top 100 reputable companies.

“By partnering with the least sustainable company in the world, Kellogg’s is putting its reputation and legacy at risk,” said Ben Cushing, Field Organizer with the Forest Heroes Campaign.  “We are here in Kellogg’s backyard, calling on CEO John Bryant to be a Forest Hero by using his unique leverage to stop rainforest destruction, protect endangered species like the Sumatran tiger, and begin to tackle global warming.”

Wilmar’s palm oil trade drives rainforest destruction, worsening climate change and pushing Sumatran tigers to the brink of extinction, with the world’s population now estimated at only 400.  The Forest Heroes Campaign asks, “What Would Tony Say?” and says Kellogg’s should know better, given their famous mascot Tony the Tiger.

“In West Michigan, we have a unique ability to set a sustainable example for the Midwest and the country as a whole,” said Ciara Lane, a senior at Aquinas College. “With Kellogg's being a local company that prides itself on sustainability, we can unite people all across the state in calling on them to be true to their values. Teaming up with the world's least sustainable company does not reflect that at all.”

When rainforests and carbon rich peat lands are clear-cut, immense amounts of carbon are released into the atmosphere. Due to widespread deforestation, Indonesia has become the third largest contributor to global warming pollution, bested by only the U.S. and China.

Palm oil—a product used in 50% of consumer goods from snacks to soaps and detergents—can be grown without destroying our rainforests. It’s happened before, and in Wilmar’s own backyard. Indonesia’s largest palm oil grower has committed to ending deforestation as a result of pressure from a major customer: Nestlé, which committed to only source palm oil that is deforestation-free. Michiganders believe that Kellogg’s should be demanding that Wilmar do the same or else should end its ties with the world’s largest rainforest destroyer. 

For more information on the campaign, visit: www.ForestHeroes.org. For photos of the day's event, see: http://s.mlive.com/YSX7rBC.