Four-phase approach to sustainable supply chain water use

• PHASE 1

  Assessment

  A study of key operation and growing region watersheds, using external standards and building on work completed with The Nature Conservancy

• PHASE 2

  Analysis and action planning

  Deep-dive analysis of at-risk growing areas, in conjunction with external experts

• PHASE 3

  Collaboration

  Establish multi-stakeholder water stewardship plan to implement identified improvements

• PHASE 4

  Transformation

  Implement water stewardship program with public education and advocacy, funding, and monitoring and reporting

General Mills' 8 Priority Watersheds

U.S. INDIA CHINA

united states

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Snake River

Idaho, U.S.

Growing region (wheat, potatoes)

Risk Level: Extremely High

PHASE 3 Collabration

We support TNC to help farmers implement water management and soil health practices that reduce groundwater withdrawals and address declining water levels and watershed health in this area. In 2015, the Natural Resources Conservation Service allocated $1.1 million over two years to promote and implement variable rate irrigation systems, nozzle upgrades, end gun removal and associated best management practices.

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Also see: Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, TNC soil health roadmap

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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San Joaquin

California, U.S.

Growing region (dairy/nuts/fruits/vegetables), facility

Risk Level: Extremely High

PHASE 3

General Mills is supporting TNC to develop risk-mapping frameworks, leading management practices and tools to help ensure that groundwater dependent ecosystems and streams in California are included in sustainable groundwater management. Through the California Water Action Collaborative, we share resources and information with other food and beverage companies, suppliers and conservation organizations to improve water security in the San Joaquin watershed. General Mills also is funding research conducted by Sustainable Conservation, an NGO supporting farmers in California's Central Valley, to enable groundwater recharge on active farm fields.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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Rio Grande/Rio Bravo

New Mexico, U.S.

Facility

Risk Level: Extremely High

PHASE 4

We contribute to the Rio Grande Water Fund's work to help advance water conservation and education efforts in the Albuquerque community, including restoring forests to reduce catastrophic wildfires that threaten the area's water supply. Recently, our Albuquerque cereal and snack plant partnered with The Nature Conservancy to collect rain water, Saving Every Drop.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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South Florida Basins

Florida, U.S.

Growing region (sugar cane)

Risk Level: High

PHASE 2

Added in October 2016. This watershed is in the analysis phase.

General Mills is tracking The Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) that is currently being implemented according to the Integrated Delivery Schedule, a collaboration created with multi-stakeholder input.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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China

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Yongding He

Hebei/Sanhe (Beijing),CHINA

Growing region (dairy), facility

Risk Level: Extremely High

PHASE 2

This watershed is in the analysis phase.

We are in the process of implementing the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard at our facility and the surrounding catchment.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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Huang He (Yellow)

Shandong, CHINA

Growing region (dairy)

Risk Level: Extremely High

PHASE 2

Added in October 2016. This watershed is in the analysis phase.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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Yangtze (Chang Jiang)

Shanghai, CHINA

Facilities

Risk Level: High

PHASE 2

In January 2015, General Mills and TNC completed an analysis of this watershed and identified water quality and potential flooding as the main issues. Action planning is underway.

We are in the process of implementing the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard at our facilities and the surrounding catchments.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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India

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Ganges

Madhya Pradesh, INDIA

Growing region (wheat)

Risk Level: Extremely High

PHASE 2

Added in October 2016. This watershed is in the analysis phase.

General Mills is supporting TNC to complete a deep-dive assessment into the watershed, farming practices and the opportunities for improvement. Recently, we participated in farmer interviews and blogged about the work.

Risk levels are based on the WWF Water Risk Filter, customized to General Mills.

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