Mars

Mars Incorporated is one of the largest food manufacturers in the world, with six business segments including: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience.  A family owned company for nearly a century, Mars generates annual revenues of over $28 Billion.

Fairfood and Mars
Fairfood International started its dialogue with Mars in 2006 by approaching them for information on the level of sustainability of their own brand products. In 2007, Fairfood invited Mars to join the Chocolate Bar Race, where big companies competed for the most sustainable chocolate bar. While Mars declined to participate in the Chocolate Bar Race, Fairfood continued its sustainability dialogue with Mars in order to encourage Mars to become more transparent and more thoughtful with regards to their supply chains.  In 2009, Mars committed to sourcing all of its cocoa through Rainforest Alliance and UTZ CERTIFIED certified suppliers by 2020. This certification includes “improved profitability and competitiveness for farmers”, two important Fairfood sustainability criteria. Clearly, such a resolution will have repercussions throughout the confectionery industry. Commitments like these are what Fairfood strives for when engaging with companies such as Mars.

Current status
While Fairfood supports Mars’ commitment to sourcing 100% Rainforest Alliance and UTZ CERTIFIED certified cocoa by 2020, we are continuing our sustainability dialogue with Mars to encourage further sustainability improvements throughout their supply chains and for all of their products.