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GOURMET NEWS MAY 2018 www.gourmetnews.com News & Notes NEWS & NOTES 5 BRIEFS Hershey Announces Cocoa for Good, the Company's Half-Billion Dollar Sustainable Cocoa Strategy The Hershey Company has launched Cocoa For Good, its holistic cocoa sustain- ability strategy. The comprehensive strategy addresses the most pressing issues facing cocoa-growing communities: poverty, poor nutrition, at-risk youth, and vulnerable ecosystems. Hershey seeks to bring positive change in these areas through collaborative programs, partnerships and significant in- vestment, including a half-a-billion-dollar commitment by 2030. "A sustainable cocoa supply depends on a multi-stakeholder collaborative approach to find solutions to the social, environmen- tal and economic challenges facing cocoa- growing communities," said Susanna Zhu, Chief Procurement Officer. "As a critical player in the cocoa value chain, we are committed to doing our part. The Hershey Company has been partnering with key stakeholders in the cocoa sector for more than 100 years. Under Cocoa For Good, we continue to work toward a future where there's a long-term, sustainable cocoa sup- ply, the natural environment is protected, and we are creating better lives for every- one. It's good for the cocoa farmers, fami- lies, communities, chocolate consumers and the success of our business." Cocoa For Good focuses investments and work in four key areas: nourishing children, elevating youth, prospering com- munities and preserving ecosystems. In- creased family access to good nutrition is one of the priorities under the strategy. The Hershey legacy is based on the core ideal of providing opportunities for children to suc- ceed. Healthy minds start with the right nutrition and improving access to food has a positive ripple effect – enabling children to reach their potential in school and adults to thrive in their jobs. Elimination of child labor and increased youth access to education opportunities is another priority for The Hershey Company. Today's youth will be tomorrow's leaders, so the company is working with partners to equip youth in cocoa-growing regions with the skills and resources they need to build successful fu- tures, in their local communities and be- yond. Elimination of child labor, a known symptom of poverty, is a fundamental compo- nent of this ambition. The Hershey Com- pany is also investing in programs to eco- nomically empower women and to help all farmers support prosperous businesses, with the goal of in- creasing household incomes for women and men. Growing the opportunity and means for women and men to sustain healthy livelihoods in cocoa-growing com- munities is essential to safeguarding the fu- ture of these communities, as is the healthy ecosystem around them. Investing in inno- vative agroforestry methods and growing cocoa in shaded areas that are more pro- ductive are ways Hershey is working to pre- serve the cocoa ecosystem and protect forests. "Cocoa is a tremendous part of the liveli- hoods for the people of Côte D'Ivoire and public-private partnerships are critical to improving the lives of people living in cocoa communities and protecting our pre- cious natural resources," said H.E. Daniel Kablan Duncan, Vice President of the Re- public of Côte D'Ivoire. "We value our part- nership with The Hershey Company and look forward to working together to bring about the meaningful change that this new investment will catalyze." Cocoa For Good is expected to impact the lives of thou- sands of farmers in cocoa-grow- ing regions with a focus on West Africa where about 70 percent of the world's cocoa is grown. Owusu Prem- peh, from Kwame Adu in the New Edubiase District of Ghana, has been farming cocoa for the last five years and through collaborative initiatives from The Hershey Company, she has received training and support to increase cocoa yields year over year. "I have sold cocoa to many companies, but I have not benefitted from them like I have with Hershey. The trainings have in- creased productivity on my farm, especially with the extensive pruning of my cocoa trees," said Prempeh. "I am grateful to Her- shey for the premiums they paid to us. We used part of our premium to purchase school uniforms, school bags, books and other school accessories to support school children in the community." GN Expansion of World Market Center Las Vegas Receives Approval International Market Centers has received approval from the city of Las Vegas, Ne- vada, to construct a new Expo Center on the campus of the World Market Center Las Vegas. The new, state-of-the-art, 350,000-square-foot Expo Center will house the Las Vegas Market temporary ex- hibitors as well as registration, meeting space and other services and amenities. The Center will also serve as a year- round event venue in the downtown area for corporate and private events, conven- tions and other tradeshows. The new struc- ture will be connected to the Campus' Building C and parking deck and will be constructed to enable the addition of 100,000 square foot floorplates for perma- nent showroom expansion as the existing facility is nearing full occupancy and de- mand for space continues. The city of Las Vegas is contributing $30 million through a TIF (tax increment fi- nancing) note to the cost of the Expo Cen- ter, approximately $76 million. Upon completion, the Expo Center will include exposition space, meeting and office space, and allocation of space for all back-of- house and administrative functions needed to run larger scale conventions and trade shows. Construction is slated to begin in the next 12- 18 months and will take approx- imately 18 months to complete. Interna- tional Market Centers is taking steps to minimize disruption to Las Vegas Market events while construction is in progress, according to a statement from Robert Maricich, CEO of International Market Centers. "The IMC team remains commit- ted to providing an unparalleled market experience for our exhibitors and atten- dees," he said. GN Natural Grocers Customers Pledge to Protect the Ladybug Throughout the month of April, and in celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Natural Grocers invited its communities to pledge to protect one of nature's beneficial insects – the ladybug. The stores asked shoppers to vow that they'd never use chemicals that harm ladybugs or other beneficial insects and pledge to support 100 percent organic produce. Customers were also invited to learn how to make a natural, do-it- yourself weed killer at a free, educational class hosted by Natural Grocers. It's estimated that insects, like the ladybug, contribute at least $57 billion to the U.S. economy every year by controlling pests, pollinating crops, as part of the food web and processing waste. In addition, beneficial insects prevent $18.77 billion in damages to U.S. crops every year, supporting a healthy economy, a healthy environment and human health – the triple bottom line. Bertolli Launches International Promotional Campaign In the last week of April, Bertolli hosted eight influencer chefs from around the world to experience and learn about all things related to the brand, from its wide range of award winning blends, to its brand value and brand history. The tour was part of an international campaign message that drew inspiration from the concept of simplicity, being in the kitchen and sharing moments with the people you love. "Bertolli has received a global re-launch, which is set to reassert its points of uniqueness and shore up global markets," said CEO Pierluigi Tosato, from parent company Deoleo. The campaign began in 2018 with large investments made into the brand, marketing and communication strategies, a move set to encourage a new dialogue. The brand also plans to open Casa Bertolli, a unique meeting place for consumers, journalists and stakeholders to enjoy when passing through Lucca, the Italian city where Bertolli was founded. Southeastern Grocers Proceeds with Restructuring Southeastern Grocers has commenced voluntary cases under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to implement its reorganization plan. The reorganization will affect more than 580 stores in seven states that operate under the BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn- Dixie banners. The restructuring process is expected to significantly strengthen SEG's balance sheet and will decrease the chain's overall debt levels by more than $500 million. The significant reduction in debt will result in reduced interest expense, allowing SEG to invest more cash flow back into the business in the form of increased capital expenditures for store remodels and new stores. With a deleveraged balance sheet and an optimal store base, SEG will be able to focus its resources on store growth and financial vitality.

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