IKEA Canada to offer responsibly sourced bottled water in support of the United Nations World Food Programme
BURLINGTON, ON, Oct. 12, 2016 /CNW/ - IKEA Canada today reaffirms its commitment to responsibly sourced food offerings by announcing a partnership with Edmonton-based organization, The Earth Group. Starting today, IKEA Canada will be selling Earth Water in all stores nationally, in support of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The Earth Group exists entirely to feed and educate children in need. Since 2010, they have provided funding to WFP for a minimum of 400,000 school meals each year. School meals not only provide children with the nutrition and energy they need to focus on their lessons, but also boost school attendance, retention and graduation rates. Earth Water is locally sourced Canadian water that is packaged in 100 per cent recycled PET bottles that are also landfill biodegradable.
"We are proud to support The Earth Group in their efforts to feed children who need it most," said Danielle Beauchesne, food manager at IKEA Canada. "The Earth Group's goals to provide food, water and education for children aligns with IKEA's commitments to have a positive impact in the communities where we operate and around the world."
To date, The Earth Group has provided WFP with funding to distribute 1.5 million school meals to children around the world. All net profits from the sale of Earth Water directly benefit WFP's work to facilitate school meals for children in some of the world's most vulnerable areas.
"The World Food Programme is the world's leading humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. We are proud to support their efforts in partnership with IKEA Canada," said Matt Moreau, co-founder of Earth Group. "As a leading Canadian retailer when it comes to sustainability, we look forward to what we can accomplish together through the sale of Earth Water."
IKEA's sustainability direction is outlined by its "People + Planet Positive" strategy: to inspire and enable millions of people to live a more sustainable life at home; to pursue resource and energy independence; and to take the lead in creating a better life for people. IKEA is one of Canada's largest restaurants, serving over 9 million visitors a year. For this reason, it is important for IKEA to serve a variety of responsibility sourced and healthy food and drinks for the many Canadians.
ABOUT IKEA CANADA:
IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer with 375 stores in more than 50 countries worldwide, which are visited by 884 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 12 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, 6 Pick-up and order points in Quebec City and southern Ontario and two Collection Points in Halifax and Saskatoon. The company also recently announced plans to open stores in Halifax and Quebec City. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 25 million visitors to its stores and 75 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.
ABOUT THE EARTH GROUP
The Earth Group was established eleven years ago and exists entirely to provide food, water, and education to children globally. This is achieved through a worldwide agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) that sees the company providing a minimum of 400,000 school meals to children annually. The organization has funded programs globally, most recently in Kenya, Bolivia and the Philippines, and aims to provide another 1,000,000 meals in 2017. For more information on the Earth Group please visit www.earthgroup.org. Follow on Twitter @theearthgroup
ABOUT WFP:
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries. www.wfp.org. Follow on Twitter @wfp_media
SOURCE IKEA Canada
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IKEA CANADA: Stephanie Kerr, Corporate Press Officer, 905-637-9440 ext. 6378, [email protected]
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