Bunge aims to make a positive impact on the world as we deliver essential food, feed and fuel. This includes investing in and supporting the communities where we operate. We do this through initiatives that empower and support renowned partners and nonprofit organizations around the world.

Bunge is proud to collaborate with Operation Food Search (OFS) in St. Louis, Missouri, as a core part of Bunge’s social impact. This partnership reflects our commitment to addressing the root cause of hunger and fostering healthier futures for our neighbors.

Established in 1981, OFS works to ensure families have increased access to healthy and affordable food while tackling the underlying causes of hunger. They empower 200,000 individuals – one-third of whom are children – in 25 counties across Missouri and Illinois through vital food distribution, nutrition education and innovative programs.

Partnership in Action: Key Programs with OFS

Since 2020, Bunge has collaborated with OFS through various programs:

• Operation Backpack: This program provides weekly backpacks filled with healthy, kid-friendly, shelf-stable food to ensure students have nutritious meals over the weekend when school meals aren’t available. Bunge contributes financially and encourages employee volunteering to organize and pack food.
• Nourishing Healthy Starts: Addressing the critical link between maternal health and food security, this program supports pregnant women and their families with weekly fresh produce, grocery boxes, cooking classes, safety net enrollment assistance, and connections to vital community and medical resources. Bunge’s corporate contribution to OFS directly supports this program, helping to mitigate health risks and financial burdens associated with food insecurity during pregnancy.
• St. Louis MetroMarket: This mobile market travels to underserved areas in St. Louis, providing access to fresh, healthy food at significantly lower prices than traditional retailers. Bunge supports this program through food purchases and funding, including a recent donation for a new farmers truck.
• OFS Teaching Kitchen: The OFS Teaching Kitchen offers a fun and meaningful way to develop cooking skills, foster teamwork, and expand professional networks. For every purchased class of the Teaching Kitchen, OFS donates a corresponding class to the community. Bunge actively supports this program by scheduling classes for our emerging talent programs, providing valuable development opportunities for local employees.

Bunge supports local nonprofits and organizations aligned with our values and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Quality Education (SDG 4). In addition to OFS, Bunge supports St. Louis Area Foodbank’s Food on the Move program; and in October, Bunge volunteers around the globe will join forces for World Food Day. In 2024, Bunge engaged more than 1,200 volunteers in over 25 countries and more than 85 cities.