For Immediate Release
Danone Canada Makes Record Product Donation to Moisson Montreal
Community organizations across the region
to benefit from latest step in company’s COVID-19 response
Boucherville, Quebec – April 23, 2020 – As food insecurity affects growing numbers of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, Danone Canada announces a donation of more than 408,000 dairy and plant-based products to Moisson Montreal, the country’s largest food bank.
The 408,000 products represent Danone Canada’s largest-ever donation to Moisson Montreal, a charity it has supported for more than 10 years. The donation includes nutritious fresh dairy and plant-based food and beverages from several leading Danone brands, including Activia probiotic yogurt; OIKOS Greek yogurt; Silk plant-based beverages and yogurt-style products; Light & Free ultrafiltered yogurt; and Stok cold-brew coffee. The products will be distributed by Moisson Montreal to various community organizations, as well as the Moisson Rive-Sud food bank.
“Food banks are an essential service for many Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this surge in demand, Danone’s mission to bring health through food has never been more important, and we are prepared to go above and beyond to support our communities,” said Dan Magliocco, President, Danone Canada. “Our commitment to using our business as a force for good also extends to our employees, partners and suppliers. Now is the time for all Canadians to come together as we navigate this unprecedented crisis.”
“Moisson Montréal supplies 250 organizations on the island of Montreal that help families living in a precarious situation. Each month, 35.2% of the people who benefit from our help are children. The donation Danone is making will allow us to offer food with high nutritional value, and also a great deal of comfort to these families,” said Richard D. Daneau, Executive Director, Moisson Montréal.
The record donation to Moisson Montreal is the latest step in Danone Canada’s ongoing COVID-19 response.
Silk Serves Smoothies to Food Bank Volunteers
Starting April 27, Danone’s Silk brand will give extra support to food bank volunteers in Montreal and Toronto by delivering complimentary smoothies made with original recipes created by local chefs. The smoothies will be served in reusable cups bearing words of encouragement.
Danone Canada Supports Breakfast Club of Canada; Employees; Partners and Suppliers
Danone Canada recently announced a donation of $200,000 and 35,000 products to an emergency fund established by the Breakfast Club of Canada, its partner of more than 24 years, to support breakfast program enrollees and local community organizations that assist food-insecure families while schools throughout Canada are closed during the COVID-19 crisis. Danone Canada is also actively supporting the Club’s special food deliveries to aboriginal communities across Quebec, supporting more than 5,000 children and families.
On a global scale and in Canada, Danone has taken extensive measures to support its employees, partners and suppliers. Danone has pledged no job losses due to COVID-19 and guaranteed revenue to all employees in April, May and June, while ensuring that staff are supported even in cases of sick leave, quarantine or child care. The company has also announced financial support of €250 million ($380 million CAD) for the 15,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in its global ecosystem, including farmers, suppliers, and service providers.
In this spirit, Danone Canada recently announced special reward programs for its frontline employees and partners, including a 15% incentive for its manufacturing employees and a $2 hourly increase for its in-store retail partner.
About Danone Canada
One of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, Danone Canada is a business unit of Danone and operates from headquarter offices in Boucherville, Quebec, and Mississauga, Ontario. Danone Canada is the country’s largest consumer-facing Certified B Corporation®, demonstrating that the company meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Danone Canada’s ambition is to produce healthful dairy and plant-based products, as well as coffee creamers and beverages; to create economic and social value; and to nurture natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Its portfolio of brands includes Activia®; Oikos®; DanActive®; Danone®; Silk®; So Delicious®; Light and Free®; YoPRO; Danette®; Stok; International Delight®; and more. For more information about the company, please visit danone.ca; facebook.com/danonecanada; Twitter (@DanoneCanada) or LinkedIn (Danone Canada).
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Contact:
Natacha Gouveia
Danone Canada
450-655-7331, ext 7487