General Mills Partners with Hunger-Free MN to Repurpose Excess Corn

Earlier this year, Kris Patton, corporate public relations manager for Golden Valley's General Mills, said that the local cereal maker was investing $1 million to support Hunger-Free Minnesota.

It seems like the money was well spent.

On Sept. 24, Hunger-Free Minnesota announced the success of a new pilot program that turned unharvested corn into meals.

According to a press release, in conjunction with a number of companies including General Mills, 600,000 pounds of surplus sweet corn was delivered to emergency hunger-relief organizations in 10 states earlier this month.

"General Mills provided strategic supply chain expertise, deep industry knowledge and access to others who could play a critical role in surplus crop recovery," said Joanne Henry with Henry Schafer Partners, the PR group representing Hunger-Free Minnesota. "The Hunger-Free Minnesota pilot project included multiple partners active in the supply chain efforts to launch the first-of-its-kind agricultural surplus initiative in Minnesota."

According to the release, favorable conditions in western Minnesota caused a surplus of corn. Thanks to months of logistical planning with help from General Mills, Cargill, Seneca Foods Corporation and SUPERVALU Inc., the corn was distributed to food shelves across the nation.

“We are grateful to all of the participants that played a key role in this endeavor," Ellie Lucas, chief campaign officer for Hunger-Free Minnesota, said in the press release. “It’s remarkable what can be done when our corporate community lends a hand. They step up and things happen. It’s a proud time for this state.”