Are you going to boycott General Mills?
What to know about their investment in racial equity before-hand.
The power of the Black dollar AND Black cultural influence have always been undeniable, and our collective action in how we spend and organize has historically been one of our strongest tools for demanding accountability.
Right now, consumers are mobilizing to hold corporations accountable for many reasons, including DEI commitments, but there are broader boycotts happening around overall anti-capitalism, anti-consumption, and labor disputes.
From April 21-28, some groups are calling for a boycott of General Mills, citing “food industry corruption,” and claims of “poisoning our families.”
While concerns about food industry practices are valid, there are Black-centered movements actively fighting to dismantle the systems that poison our families and control our food — we should be supporting them:
Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association (BFAA)
Advocates for Black farmers' rights, equitable access to land, and fights against discrimination by the USDA and agribusinesses.
Pushes for food sovereignty, meaning Black communities controlling their own food systems to protect against exploitation and unhealthy products.
They tie industrial food systems to economic and health exploitation of Black communities.
National Black Food and Justice Alliance (NBFJA)
Works on food justice, land sovereignty, and health equity in Black communities.
Advocates for dismantling the systems that create food deserts, poor nutrition, and diet-related illnesses.
Has a systemic critique of the industrial food system and its effects on Black health and economic independence.
While not Black-centered, they have Black leadership and focus on racial equity in the food system.
They target corporate food industry practices, promoting community-led food solutions, and fighting for healthier, more just food systems.
They also call out corporate practices that harm low-income and BIPOC communities.
The Center for Black Health & Equity
Addresses health disparities caused by systemic racism, including diet and nutrition-related diseases.
While known for their tobacco advocacy, they’re increasingly focused on nutrition inequities, food marketing, and predatory practices in Black communities.
Black-led farm and food justice organization.
Focuses on dismantling systemic racism in the food system, which includes calling out food industry practices that lead to poor health outcomes in Black communities.
Educates on healthy, self-sufficient food production and community food sovereignty.
Now, I want to clarify some things about General Mills specifically, so we know MORE about why we are or are not boycotting.
General Mills made tangible efforts towards racial equity per their 2023/2024 ESG report.
Recently General Mills deleted their 2023/2024 reporting and replaced it with a 2025 report that appears to cut back on racial justice reporting.
What brands fall under General Mills?
Annie's, Autumn's Gold, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex Cereal, Chex Mix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, Dunkaroos, EPIC, Fiber One, Gardetto's, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Kix, Larabar, Latina Fresh, Lucky Charms, Monster Cereals, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Old El Paso, Oui, Pillsbury, Progresso, Raisin Nut Bran, Reese's Puffs, Total, Totino's Jeno's, Trix, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Yoki, Yoplait
Per the now deleted 2023/2024 report, here’s what General Mills achieved towards racial justice in the last two years:
Overall: 53% of all grantees funded in 2023 were led by Black, Indigenous and/or people of color.
Black Representation: They have room for improvement here, considering the Black population is 13.7% — but full transparency is very good.
Total Black Workforce: 9%
Mid/First Manager: 4%
Executive/Sr. Level Officials: 4%
Corporate Leadership: 8.3%
Board of Directors: 16.67%
Leadership Development:
Invested $300,000 in the African American Leadership Forum to support education, economic prosperity, and generational wealth-building in the Black community.
Launched a leadership development program for Black mid-career professionals in Minnesota to increase Black representation at senior levels.
Since 1991, General Mills has provided more than U.S. $7 million in charitable support to UNCF to help Minnesota students of color attend colleges, including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Food Insecurity: 84% of General Mill’s security grantees in 2023 were focused on reducing racial disparities in household food security, as Black, Indigenous, and other disproportionately impact commuinities of color.
Since 2022, they’ve contributed over $500,000 to Feeding America’s Equitable Food Access grants program, which prioritizes communities of color experiencing food insecurity.
Supported BIPOC food entrepreneurs through the Northside Economic Opportunities Network (NEON) to strengthen local Black-owned food businesses.
Provided more than $13.2 million in charitable giving since June 2020 to nonprofits focused on equitable food access.
Civic Engagement & Legal Support:
Lobbied to pass the CROWN Act in Minnesota, banning race-based hair discrimination.
Partnered with TurnSignl to increase access to legal support during traffic stops, an initiative that directly impacts Black safety.
Economic Development:
Launched a Deposit Challenge to support First Independence Bank, Minnesota’s first Minority Deposit Institution, to help close the homeownership gap for Black Minnesotans, resulting in $3 million in deposits.
Helped raise $2.5 million for the launch of the Minnesota Black Collective Foundation, the state’s first Black community foundation, created to shift philanthropic power.
Supplier Diversity: Spent $309,210,000 (Tier 1 & 2) with minority suppliers (though they need to report their Black supplier spend).
General Mills, like many companies, still has work to do and it is disheartening to see them back out on transparency by eliminating previous reports. But since they have demonstrated a commitment to racial equity in the recent past, it is worth sharing so we have the information we need to make informed decisions.
We hope everyone has a clearer picture now of one of the several companies being called to boycott and that this information will help you decide how to move forward.
Be informed.
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