Mars, Incorporated has recently announced the launch of a transformative program in collaboration with Fonterra, one of the world’s leading dairy suppliers. This initiative, known as the Farmer Forward Program, is underpinned by a significant investment of $27 million over five years. The primary objective of this program is to empower dairy farmers to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. This aligns with Mars’ ambitious goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by the year 2030, using 2015 as the baseline year.

Of the total investment, approximately half will be directed towards providing financial support for on-farm tools and technology to around 2,000 Fonterra dairy farmers. The remaining funds will be awarded to about 165 farmers annually, based on their progress toward sustainability objectives, with potential grants averaging up to $15,000 per farmer each year.

The Farmer Forward Program encompasses an impressive 26,000 hectares of farmland, which is roughly equivalent to 50,000 NFL football fields. To contextualize the scale of dairy production involved in this initiative, it has the potential to yield enough milk to produce around 20 billion Snickers bars every year. Through this partnership with Fonterra, Mars aims to achieve a significant reduction of approximately 150,000 metric tons of its Scope 3 emissions from dairy by 2030, also based on the 2015 figures.

This initiative is a crucial component of the multinational conglomerate’s Moo’ving Dairy Forward platform, a multimillion-dollar program launched last year. This platform is dedicated to fostering investment in innovative technologies and partnerships aimed at reducing GHG emissions throughout Mars’ global dairy supply chain. Dairy production is currently the fourth-largest contributor to Mars’ carbon footprint, making collaboration with dairy farmers essential for the company to meet its sustainability targets.

“Dairy farmers are on the front line of advancing climate-smart agriculture, which is why we’re putting them first through the launch of our Farmer Forward Program,” stated Amanda Davies, Chief Research & Development, Procurement, and Sustainability Officer at Mars Snacking. “Through this initiative, we’re investing roughly $27 million in Fonterra farming families over the next five years to deliver critical financial support and significant emissions reductions. It’s a true win-win because we know making dairy more sustainable takes real effort and real investment.”

As a family-run business, Mars recognizes the commitment of dairy farmers to ensure the longevity and sustainability of their farms for future generations. The funding provided by Mars is designed not only to accelerate emission reductions but also to empower farmers to create resilient businesses poised for long-term success.

“Fonterra and Mars have been collaborating for decades, with sustainability increasingly taking center stage in recent years,” commented Charlotte Rutherford, Director of Sustainability at Fonterra. “Fonterra has clear ambitions regarding climate action, and it is through partnerships like this with Mars that we can support our farmer-owners in achieving their sustainability targets. We are grateful for Mars’ shared commitment to environmental stewardship, which showcases the power of partnership and innovation.”

More than 200,000 dairy cows supply milk for Mars’ well-known confectionery brands, including M&M’S and Snickers. However, raw ingredients account for a staggering 65% of the total GHG emissions from Mars’ snacking portfolio. Therefore, reducing emissions associated with dairy production is a vital aspect of fulfilling the sustainability goals outlined in Mars’ Net-Zero Roadmap. The roadmap aims for net-zero GHG emissions across the company’s entire value chain by the year 2050. Mars operates under the belief that it is possible for business to thrive while simultaneously working to create a healthier planet. Evidence of this commitment is reflected in the fact that since 2015, Mars has successfully reduced its GHG emissions by 16% globally, while achieving a remarkable 60% increase in its global annual sales during the same period.

For more information about Mars’ sustainable dairy farming initiatives and their comprehensive approach to sustainability, please click here.