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Nestlé USA Joins SFPA to Oppose Discriminatory Anti-LGBTQ Legislation in Tennessee

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Arlington, VA

The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA) strongly opposes several bills currently being considered in Tennessee that would, if passed, negatively impact LGBTQ Tennesseans. SFPA founding member companies Nestlé USA, Danone North America, Mars Incorporated, and Unilever United States view this legislation as anti-business and are disappointed to see the legislature consider discriminatory legislation. We strongly urge the Tennessee legislature to defeat these anti-business proposals.

Here is our letter to the Office of the Speaker of the House in full:

Dear Speaker Glen Casada,

As member companies of the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance (SFPA), we are writing to convey our strong opposition to several bills currently being considered by the legislature that would, if passed, negatively impact LGBTQ Tennesseans. SFPA founding member companies Danone North America, Mars Incorporated, Nestlé USA, and Unilever United States view this legislation as anti-business and are disappointed to see the legislature consider discriminatory legislation.

In different ways, each of our member companies have a significant presence in Tennessee, from maintaining strong manufacturing, administration, research, and development operations in the state, to Tennesseans enjoying our products on a daily basis. For us, this issue is not political. These policies will have a harmful impact on business operations and the ability of businesses to recruit and retain talent, thereby putting Tennessee at a competitive economic disadvantage.

As a core part of our business principles, we firmly believe that all people are equal and that every person deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, and veteran status. These principles guide the way we work, run our businesses, and engage with communities, and they contribute to our strength as we continually evolve alongside our consumers. We encourage all institutions – companies, governments, and societies – to act similarly by embracing diversity, practicing acceptance, and respecting each person as an individual.

One of the reasons we value operating and conducting business in Tennessee is because we believe the State shares this philosophy – which has resulted in the State of Tennessee being a great place to do business. We strongly urge you to maintain and strengthen this reputation and respectfully ask you and the legislature to defeat these anti-business proposals.

Sincerely,

Molly Fogarty
Senior Vice President
Corporate & Government Affairs, U.S.
Nestlé USA

Brad G. Figel
Vice President
Public Affairs North America
Mars, Incorporated

Philippe Caradec
Vice President
Public Affairs and Sustainable Development
Danone North America, PBC

Tom Langan
North America Director
Sustainable Business & External Affairs
Unilever

About the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance

The Sustainable Food Policy Alliance seeks to accelerate the pace of change in the food industry through individual company leadership and collective support for public policies that raise the bar and inspire further action in this critical journey. As some of the world’s best-known food companies, founding members Danone North America, Mars, Incorporated, Nestlé USA, and Unilever United States recognize our responsibility to drive positive change for the people who use our products, the people who supply them, and the planet on which we all rely. To learn more about the Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, visit www.foodpolicyalliance.org.