General Mills Named to 3BL Media's 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2020

MINNEAPOLIS, June 16, 2020 /3BL Media/ – Today, General Mills announced it has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by 3BL Media for its outstanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest, U.S. public companies. For the third consecutive year, General Mills received the top ranking amongst its food and beverage peers for its actions, and third in the overall rankings.

"For General Mills, being a good corporate citizen is part of our DNA and central to who we are," said Mary Jane Melendez, chief sustainability and social impact officer at General Mills. "Anytime we’re recognized for the role we play to make the planet and communities in which we live and work better, it’s an honor. There is always more work to be done, but we are motivated by our progress and commitment to be a force for good."

General Mills’ sustainability mission centers on promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices across its value chain to protect the resources and people upon which the company depends. To achieve this mission, General Mills is focused on initiatives to support climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, healthy watersheds, thriving ecosystems, and protecting human rights and animal welfare.

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking is based on 141 ESG transparency and performance factors in eight pillars: climate change, employee relations, environment, finance, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance. Using a methodology developed by 3BL Media, all Russell 1000 Index companies are researched by ISS ESG, the responsible investment research arm of Institutional Shareholder Services. To compile the ranking, corporate data and information is obtained from publicly available sources only, rather than questionnaires or company submissions.

“Achieving the transformational targets in the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals in this decade means we need all companies to embed ESG issues into their business,” said Dave Armon, CEO of 3BL Media. “The best corporate citizens of 2020 are leaders, demonstrating how transparency, ambitious goals, robust strategies and accounting for all stakeholders builds business and social value.” 

Clients and third-party organizations continue to recognize General Mills globally for its ethics, climate leadership and commitment to be an employer of choice. The company’s recent notable U.S. and global recognition includes:

• Dow Jones Sustainability Index: North America and World Indices
• CDP Climate Change and Water Security A Lists
• Fortune Magazine’s World Most Admired Companies
• Forbes & JUST Capital’s America’s Most Just Companies
• Newsweek Magazine’s America’s Most Responsible Companies  
• Working Mother 100 Best Companies and Best Companies for Multicultural Women
• NAFE’s Top Companies for Executive Women
• Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality
• Black Enterprise Magazine Best Companies for Diversity
• Military Friendly Employer

The complete list, methodology and detail surrounding the 100 Best Corporate Citizens can be found here: 100 Best 2020 Methodology, and for more information on General Mills’ commitments and progress, visit the company’s website.

About General Mills 
General Mills is a leading global food company whose purpose is to make food the world loves. Its brands include Cheerios, Annie's, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Häagen-Dazs, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, BLUE and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills generated fiscal 2019 net sales of U.S. $16.9 billion. In addition, General Mills’ share of non-consolidated joint venture net sales totaled U.S. $1.0 billion.

About 3BL Media
3BL Media delivers purpose-driven communications for the world’s leading companies. Our unrivaled distribution, leadership and editorial platforms inspire and support global sustainable business. Learn more here.