Despite living in a place of abundance, visits to food banks are increasing for the residents in Mississauga, Ontario, where General Mills’ Canadian headquarters is located.

Using the learnings from our investment in a few of our other hometown communities of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Buffalo, New York, we’re using an innovative model that aims to enable local know-how and leadership, with the partnership of United Way, to advance and sustain lasting solutions to hunger and lack of food access in Mississauga.

Last week, I shared the news that, due to drenching rains this spring, over 19 million acres in the US went unplanted this year, especially in 12 midwestern states –the highest acreage on record (see my post here).  Making matters worse, the crops that did get put into the ground were not planted on time, and much of our remaining topsoil has become less produc

Global population growth, increased water scarcity, stressed food systems, competition over resources—the consequences of inefficient land and water use are already manifesting, and we must act now to correct our course. As a global community, resource efficiency can satisfy the demand for water and food for years to come, even with the projected growth of our population, but this is only possible if we coordinate effectively.

Mr. Cipolo worked at an airport in Lusaka, Zambia for most of his adult career. In 1994, at the age of 50, he was suddenly laid off. He applied to other jobs in the city but no one wanted to hire him because of his age. Yet he still needed a full-time income to support his family. He tried farming, but after balancing his books at the end of first year, he found he was losing money.