Employee-Led Activities Shine on World Food Day 2025

In celebration of World Food Day, we’re recognizing McCormick employees across our global teams who volunteered in various initiatives this year aimed at fighting hunger and promoting sustainable food systems. By uniting passion with purpose, we helped advance the global movement toward ending hunger—one act of service at a time.

But First—What is the theme of World Food Day 2025?

Observed annually on October 16^th, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – the founders of World Food Day- selects a new theme every year with the 2025 focus being “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”

This theme emphasizes the importance of global collaboration in creating a peaceful, prosperous and food-secure future. That’s why for the occasion, we’re spotlighting employee-led activities from our offices worldwide, all which focus on ensuring food security for local communities.

Giving Good Food a Second Chance: Activities from McCormick EMEA

One of the most practical ways to combat hunger is to redistribute surplus food. Knowing this, Employees from McCormick Switzerland chose to support Madame Frigo, a non-profit association which campaigns against food waste. They operate a network of 170 public refrigerators where people can drop off excess food. With this initiative, they save more than 300 tonnes of food from premature disposal every year. Our team maintained the upkeep of one of these public refrigerators for a month, dedicating three hours every week without fail.

Plus, our Haddenham and Peterborough offices in the UK took food collection a step further by setting up multiple collection points themselves across our buildings. Employees collected everyday essentials, including cereal, tea bags, long-life milk and tinned goods, which were then donated to the local food banks.

While the UK and Switzerland showed up for their community with essentials, employees in Romania raised funds for a local charity. They came together to cook up a delicious spread with McCormick spices and raised $1,150!

Driving Impact by Supporting Local Organizations: Activities from McCormick Americas

Employees from different sites in the US volunteered at their local food banks, which serve to not only satisfy immediate hunger needs but also help create a resilient food system for the future.

While our Consumer Internal Sales Team volunteered at the Maryland Food Bank, a long-time McCormick partner, the South Bend site supported the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. In addition to doing on-site volunteer work, employees from the South Bend site donated over 10 boxes of food.

Meanwhile, the Sales team in Rogers, Arkansas volunteered with For the Love, a non-profit food truck that hosts free meals for the community through neighbor nights. The team, supported by their loved ones, served almost 300 meals in an hour.

Support that Makes a Difference: Activities from McCormick APAC

In APAC, senior leaders led the way with several unique initiatives to raise funds for local organizations in Singapore and Australia. Paris Golden, Managing Director of Australia, represented McCormick at OzHarvest’s CEO Cookoff, a signature fundraising event that brings together top chefs, CEOs, and leaders  to cook meals and raise vital funds to feed people in need.

The APAC leadership team based in Singapore cooked a hearty charity lunch for employees complete with welcome drinks. They raised S$3,500 from the event and contributed it to Free Food For All, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to vulnerable individuals and families.

Employees from the Shanghai office volunteered to pack 190 food packages at the Green Food Bank’s warehouse. They also donated 400+ McCormick seasonings, making their contribution even more flavorful.

We’re incredibly proud of our global team of employees for their meaningful contributions to their local communities. They have truly embodied the 2025 World Food Day theme put forth by the FAO, reiterating the importance of global, collective action in efforts to combat food insecurity.

Thank you to all McCormick employees for their diligent work!