Access to quality food and education are two of the most basic human needs. Unfortunately, for many people and communities these necessities are considered a privilege. At Bunge, we want to empower and support renowned partners and non-profit organizations that are working to provide communities with the resources they need to have healthy and successful lives.
Corporate Contributions
Through our global corporate contributions program, we provide financial support or in-kind gifts to organizations whose missions or activities are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a priority focus on Zero Hunger (SDG2) and Quality Education (SDG4). We also work with partners around the world to drive long-standing, successful social impact projects.
Bunge Volunteers
We also encourage our employees to give back to the communities where they work and live by volunteering their time and expertise to local social initiatives they are passionate about. Our volunteers support organizations and programs such as food drives, scholarship opportunities, educational services for children, investing in rural/agrarian agriculture and more.
Humanitarian Assistance
Responding to disasters through humanitarian assistance also plays a crucial role in Bunge’s social commitment. We support communities affected by natural disasters, such as tornados and hurricanes in the U.S., and public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bunge’s Ukraine Response: Bunge supported humanitarian emergency aid efforts by donating $1 million in bottled oil and wheat to organizations in Ukraine and by contributing a combined $1 million dollars to Vostok-SOS and the World Food Programme (WFP). To amplify our impact, Bunge also matched financial contributions employees made to the WFP, which in total was able to provide around 100,000 meals. Our employees in countries that neighbor Ukraine also generously volunteered to assist displaced colleagues and their families by offering temporary shelter, helping find healthcare, community services, schools for children, as well as providing food, clothing and more. Moving forward, we will remain focused on the safety of our employees and in doing our part to provide essential food for all.
“The deep care our employees have for one another and the communities we operate in is truly heartwarming, and a testament to the values that we share as One Bunge. Our employees’ response to support one another and the people of Ukraine is an incredible demonstration of this. Our courageous colleagues and their families are in our thoughts each day. Their safety remains our top priority – and always will.” Greg Heckman CEO
Disaster Relief in the United States: A few months after tornadoes tore through Western Kentucky (US) and the city of Mayfield, the community is still recovering. In response, Bunge donated US$100,000 to the Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief Fund. “When the tornado hit Mayfield, the first thing we all thought of was the people. We have a strong relationship with our community of farmers, customers, and neighbors there. In the few months since, we’ve witnessed not just the agriculture community but the whole country rally behind the city to support them. We’re incredibly proud to be a part of that, as Mayfield continues to rebuild,” said Kevin Glauber, Merchandising Manager at Bunge’s Cairo crush plant in Illinois. Bunge’s local team also volunteered to support the community by contributing to Operation Christmas Tuesday in Mayfield where they handed out supplies and gifts directly to those who needed them. Glauber added, “The destruction in Mayfield is difficult to put into words. We were glad to be able to provide some assistance and holiday cheer to a handful of families.”
Social Impact Projects Connected to Our Business
Women of Shea: As part of the Women’s Cooperatives Project, one of Bunge Loders Croklaan’s projects to empower women in the shea supply chain, we supported business trainings and coaching sessions to women in the Nasia and Nakpaya communities in Northern Ghana to improve the livelihood of the female shea pickers and their families through knowledge sharing and collectivism.
Fundação Bunge: Bunge launched in 2021 a program called Projeto Economia da Gente to help the development of local businesses and entrepreneurs in the regions where it operates. The company offered courses on management and governance practices, environmental and social responsibility, as well as different tools and technologies that contribute to the digital transformation and promotion of services and products. The local businesses and entrepreneurs – who participate in the training - are now part of Bunge’s internal procurement catalog that allows participants to be able to be the company’s suppliers, benefiting the regions and municipalities where they operate.