2023 Impact Awards winner: Danone Canada

“Danone has a strong legacy of social impact, so much so that it is integrated in its business model through its mission to bring health through food to as many as possible, balancing business and sustainability performance,” says Melanie Lebel, senior vice-president of human resources at Danone Canada.

Danone Canada is the country’s largest consumer-facing Certified B Corporation, a testament to its commitment to the highest standards of social, environmental impact and governance. In line with its mission of bringing health through food, it takes pride in being a founding member of the Breakfast Club of Canada, partnering with the organization for 27 years to help fight food insecurity affecting Canadian children.

The company committed to a $1.2 million multi-year engagement to support opening breakfast programs where needs are the greatest. In 2023, four new programs were launched to reinforce the program’s impact in northern Alberta and northern Saskatchewan.

Danone Canada employees are also involved in this cause. Last year, Danone raised more than $35,000 internally, thanks to an auction held during its annual gathering event, Danone Day, and thanks to an employee-led challenge, Danone’s Feed A Child challenge. Lastly, since January 2023, close to 30 employees returned to volunteer every week in schools to serve breakfast to kids alongside the Breakfast Club of Canada.