Cargill’s sustainability cookie demonstrates progress against critical goals

The company has committed to reduce supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030, a bold climate commitment to reinforce support of the Paris Climate Commitment.

Along with this, the company is working to answer the growing consumer demand for greater transparency across the entire supply chain, expanding beyond merely clean label.

BakeryandSnacks recently spoke to Tai Ullmann, global sustainability manager for Cargill’s global edible oils business in North America, about the complexities in the supply chain, as well as what Cargill considers the major components to transparency.

Ullman explained that transparency is a multifaceted and complex concept, including a number of components like traceability (physical, impact and financial); on-farm programming (certification, measurement, impact-focused); monitoring & verification (satellite, audit, supplier compliance); and finally communication & marketing to get the story across to your target audience.

Earlier this year, Cargill partnered with Innova Market Insights to publish a report on how the F&B industry is responding to consumer demands for greater transparency.

According to the report, consumers are increasingly captivated by the story behind product, with 56% of them claiming this is what influences their purchasing decision. As such, there has been a definite push by manufacturers to pay attention to ingredient provenance.

In the US, eight in 10 consumers are more likely to buy brands that are honest and transparent about how and where the products are produced, confirming that supply chain transparency is equally important.

To bring it all together, Cargill developed the Sustainability Cookie, a great example of how brands can bring all the different components of sustainability and transparency to a product level that can be shared with consumers.

“Our sustainability cookie concept is an example of how customers can bring all these different components of sustainability and transparency from an ingredient level to a product level,”​ said Ullmann.

The cookie is made with Cargill ingredients, including cocoa products – to demonstrate responsible sourcing and transparency; Puris pea protein – to demonstrate traceability and stewardship; Truvia sweetener – responsible sourcing and transparency; Palm oil – responsible sourcing and transparency; and Spring wheat pastry flour – accountability and support.

“We think by bringing it to a product level, it can help demonstration more clearly how sustainability can resonate with consumers a little bit differently than just looking at a specific ingredient,” ​she added.

Listen to the BakeryandSnack Chat Podcast to find out more about Cargill’s sustainability progress and how the cookie can make sustainability more actionable.