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  3. How has Nestlé responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?

How has Nestlé responded to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Nestle Volunteers at Food Bank

In light of the evolving situation with COVID-19, Nestlé has been examining how we can play our part in relief efforts. We’re taking action in three key ways — Leaning In to support our long-term partners through our core strengths, Listening to experts on new areas of need, and Lifting Up employees to seize opportunities for impact. Our CEO Steve Presley has outlined these efforts in his most recent article on Medium. 

How are you supporting your employees?

 

The health and wellbeing of our employees has been, and continues to be, our top priority. Our factory, distribution, and retail sales teams work hard each day to ensure food and beverages are available on grocery store shelves. We’re incredibly proud of our teams and the work they are doing to help feed our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and country.

When the pandemic began, we acted quickly to increase our health and safety measures at all of our locations and have continued to step up our approach. We have taken several precautionary measures to help protect our employees including increased cleaning and sanitation at all facilities, daily temperature and health screenings, stringent mask requirements and social distancing practices.

Additionally, we have added employee testing events when and where it makes sense. It’s how we try to account for potential asymptomatic cases. We want to ensure we are doing what we can to protect both our employees and the community.

In the uncertain early days of the crisis we provided extra support for our frontline workers, providing temporary benefits including wage guarantees in the event of facility closures and added pay for 12 weeks, as well as additional time off for those impacted by the coronavirus.

Continuing added benefits include expanded health benefits for telemedicine and prescription delivery, mental health care, childcare and covering select testing.

How are you supporting communities around the world?

 

Tackling this crisis requires collective action at a global and local level, so we're Listening to experts and providing support where it's most needed. Globally, Nestlé has joined forces with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The IFRC has unmatched presence and expertise in providing first aid, emergency response and epidemic control. Initially, we will work together in four ways to provide urgent help for emergency services and caregivers and strengthen healthcare systems:

  • We will donate CHF 10 million to for immediate deployment in countries where it is most needed.
  • We will donate food, medical nutrition products and bottled water to bring relief to those most affected by the pandemic.
  • We will deploy available logistics capacities from our out-of-home business to support the needs of the IFRC in various countries.
  • We will match 1:1 any donations to the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies or Federation made by our employees.
 

How are you supporting communities in the U.S.?

 

Supporting Meals on Wheels, in Partnership with Freshly

Nestle Freshly Logo

In the spirit of breaking down the barriers to healthy eating and caring for others through wholesome food, we're partnering with Freshly to donate $500,000 to Meals on Wheels to support their coronavirus response. This donation will provide the safe delivery of 40,000 meals directly to at-risk homebound seniors. Join us to help deliver essential meals for vulnerable seniors.

“As this crisis continues to disrupt the lives of our employees, consumers and communities, we’re mobilizing relief efforts across the US, and around the world to help,” said Steve Presley, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé USA.

Tackling Food Security

Tackling food insecurity includes providing initial surge support to local food banks and No Kid Hungry as we prepare to support long-term efforts in the coming months. Teams across Nestlé in the United States are stepping up to support our communities by Leaning In to existing partnerships and Listening to community experts on where assistance is needed most. Below is the assistance that we have already provided to our community:

  • We have donated 2,170,000+ meals to Feeding America so far this year
  • Now, we're providing $100,000 surge support to ensure that we are getting meals to those with the greatest need including:
    • Supporting food-insecure students through No Kid Hungry
    • Food bank partners such as the Cleveland Food Bank in Ohio, Capital Area Food Bank in Washington DC, and FoodLifeline in Washington state.
  • Our creamer portfolio supported local food banks and helped get resources to first responders working tirelessly during this time
  • Stouffer’s donated to Cleveland area schools to help provide safe and healthy meals for families in need during school closures
  • We donated six truckloads of ready-to-drink Nesquik from our Anderson, Indiana facilities to food banks in 4 states
  • In 2020 our Nestlé Waters team have donated 4.4M bottles of water to crisis relief organizations currently using donations for COVID-19 relief, and will deliver over 52,000 bottles of water over the next four weeks to the City of Flint for homebound residents
  • 80,000 gallons of Poland Spring water will be included in Fresh Direct/Five Boroughs donation of weekly family grocery boxes
  • Our Global Brands division, which includes our Maggi, NIDO, Abuelita, and La Lechera brands, is supporting Miriam’s Kitchen, a Washington, DC based homeless service organization. Their donation equates to 35,000 meals for those in need during this crisis.
  • Nestlé Health Science donated Boost, Boost Kid Essentials and Carnation Breakfast Essentials to Feeding America food banks

Additional Donations

  • Chameleon Cold Brew delivered coffee to nurses on the front lines in five major cities
  • Our Nestlé Waters team are producing specially designed blue water bottles and donating them to businesses that are filling them with hand sanitizer and distributing them to healthcare professionals and communities in Maine, Pennsylvania and Texas.
  • San Pellegrino made a donation to James Beard Foundation’s Relief Fund offering support to independent restaurants
  • Nespresso is providing support for frontline healthcare workers, including a donation of machines and coffee to hospitals in the regions that have been hardest hit by the COVID crisis.

Nestlé Purina's efforts include:

  • A donation to the St. Louis Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and further donations to local relief funds, food banks, and other non-profits across 21 markets
  • A donation to the Pet Finder Foundation, providing pet welfare organizations with grants
  • A donation to Red Rover NPP’s Purple Leash Project Partner – helping victims of domestic violence escape quarantine in violent homes
  • Donations to Purina Shelter Champions
  • A donation of extra medical supplies to local first responders

Nestlé’s mission hasn’t changed: we’re dedicated to enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future, for individuals and families, for our thriving and resilient communities, and for the planet. In times of need, we continue to prioritize supporting and caring for those who need it most.

Now more than ever, we are committed to providing nutritious, great-tasting food available for you and everyone who needs it.

We recognize that public health management and response is ongoing and we are continuing to find new avenues for support.

For more information, see our COVID-19 Response Fact Sheet

Are your products still safe to consume?

 

All of our foods and beverages are safe for consumption the virus cannot survive in packaged food, pet food and beverages, including bottled water. We apply the strictest hygiene measures in all of our factories.

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