Mars Chocolate to Donate $100,000 As Part of Industry Effort to Help Fight Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

MOUNT OLIVE, N.J., Oct. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Chocolate announced today that it is donating $100,000 as part of an industry-wide effort to help fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.  The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is organizing an effort among cocoa and chocolate companies who are interested in providing medical and humanitarian aid to those countries impacted by the Ebola virus outbreak.

"As an industry, we care very deeply about the well-being of cocoa growing communities across West Africa," said Jean-Christophe Flatin, Global President of Mars Chocolate. "Mars Chocolate is a Principles-based, family-owned company. Because of those principles, we have made a commitment to help communities that have faced some very serious challenges, as West Africa is today.  We are pleased to be a part of this industry-wide effort to help people in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria receive the aid and support they need."

The WCF will distribute 100 percent of the donated funds to support two non-governmental organizations who are currently working in West Africa, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and Caritas.  The IFRC has experience working in West Africa, and an excellent track record in prevention and treatment of those suffering from the Ebola virus.  In Liberia, Caritas has been working to educate thousands of individuals, to distribute hygiene material, and to provide food support.

In 2009, Mars Chocolate committed to buying 100 percent certified sustainable cocoa by 2020 and continues to make major investments in cocoa research and technology transfer to farmers while also advocating for greater industry collaboration. As part of this effort, Mars Chocolate has developed the Vision for Change program in Cote d'Ivoire, which is working to increase farmer productivity and empower cocoa communities. In May 2014, Mars Chocolate announced its support for the Cocoa Action strategy, the cocoa sector's most ambitious and comprehensive plan to work together to rejuvenate and sustain the cocoa economy in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

About Mars, Incorporated

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company. In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar. In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of building a business based on the objective of creating a "mutuality of benefits for all stakeholders" – this objective serves as the foundation of Mars, Incorporated today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $33 billion, six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and more than 75,000 Associates worldwide that are putting its Principles into action to make a difference for people and the planet through its performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, BANFIELD® Pet Hospital, CESAR®, SHEBA®, DREAMIES® and NUTRO®; Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – DOUBLEMINT®, EXTRA®, ORBIT® and 5™ chewing gums, SKITTLES® and STARBURST® candies, and ALTOIDS® AND LIFESAVERS® mints. Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS®, SEEDS OF CHANGE® and ROYCO®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA COMPANY™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – COCOAVIA® and WISDOM PANEL®.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com. Follow us: facebook.com/mars, twitter.com/marsglobal, youtube.com/mars, linkedin.com/company/mars

SOURCE Mars Chocolate