Mars, Incorporated has announced the Farmer Forward Program, a collaboration with Fonterra, a major dairy supplier, committing US$27 million to the initiative over five years. The program is designed to encourage dairy farmers to adopt environmentally friendly agricultural methods, supporting Mars’s goal to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by 2030, using a 2015 baseline.
Approximately half of the financial commitment will be used to fund on-farm tools and technology for around 2,000 Fonterra dairy farmers. The remaining portion of the investment will be distributed to approximately 165 farmers annually, rewarding them with up to $15,000 each for significant advancements in achieving sustainability objectives.
The Farmer Forward Program will encompass 26,000 hectares of farmland, an area equivalent to about 50,000 NFL football fields. It is estimated that the dairy production involved in this program could produce enough milk for 20 billion SNICKERS® bars annually. Mars aims to reduce its scope 3 emissions from dairy by a projected 150,000 metric tons by 2030 against a 2015 baseline through this partnership with Fonterra.
This program is a key element of the company’s Moo’ving Dairy Forward initiative, a platform launched to promote investment in technologies and partnerships that reduce GHG emissions within the Mars global dairy supply chain. Dairy is the fourth-largest contributor to the company’s carbon footprint, emphasising the need for collaboration with dairy farmers to achieve its sustainability goals.
Furthermore, Mars recognises the importance of supporting dairy farmers in securing the future of their farms for generations. The funding aims to incentivise farmers to accelerate emissions reductions and build resilient businesses.
“Fonterra and Mars have been working together for decades, with sustainability really taking a front seat in recent years. Fonterra has clear ambitions when it comes to climate and it’s through partnerships like this with Mars, that we can support our farmer owners with achieving our targets,” Fonterra’s Director of Sustainability Charlotte Rutherford stated.
“We are grateful for Mars and its shared commitment to protecting the environment. It’s a true testament to the power of partnership and innovation,” she added.
Dairy for Mars’ confectionery brands, including M&M’S® and SNICKERS®, is supplied by more than 200,000 cows. Raw ingredients account for 65% of the total GHG emissions from Mars’ snacking portfolio, making the reduction of dairy-related emissions crucial for achieving the company’s sustainability goals.
These goals are outlined in the Mars Net Zero Roadmap, which aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the company’s full value chain by 2050. Mars believes that business success and environmental responsibility can coexist. Since 2015, Mars, Incorporated has decreased its GHG emissions by 16% worldwide while increasing its global annual sales by 60%.