Charitable Initiatives in the Food and Beverage Sector: Not (Just) for Profit

By Sam Rowe

Companies large and small are launching philanthropic, socially responsible schemes, built to last and pledging to help the masses. What’s in it for them?

Until not too long ago, charity initiatives in the food and drink industry were, for the most part, the preserve of mega-sized companies. Or, in essence, the firms that could afford it. Think Pret A Manger, with its nightly unsold food drop-offs to homeless shelters. The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, which dates as far back as 1985 and contributes 7.5% of pre-tax profits to myriad philanthropic causes. Or, more recently, BrewDog’s ‘Unicorn Fund’, which vows to split 20% of the brand’s profits between its team members and their chosen charities, forever. There are countless more – each one as inspirational as it is altruistic – although sparing a few pounds is admittedly far simpler when your profits are in the hundreds of millions.

To read more: https://www.fdfworld.com/food/charitable-initiatives-food-and-beverage-sector-not-just-profit