September 2008
McCain Mentors Suppliers in Minority Certification

Lisle, Ill.—McCain Foods USA has unveiled a mentoring program designed to support minority suppliers in their efforts to achieve minority-owned business certification.

The process began with potato growers in the Pacific Northwest, a crucial segment of McCain’s supply base.

“We want to help qualified suppliers to get comfortable with the minority- and women-owned certification process,” said Vivian Cosey-Glover, chief diversity officer, McCain Foods USA.

Cosey-Glover said suppliers interested in working with McCain must be certified by a recognized licensing organization and have minority business enterprise or women business enterprise certification. This includes certification by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and women-owned suppliers by the office of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Cosey-Glover’s advice to potential minority suppliers is simple: "Get certified; it is worth your efforts. Then be prepared to provide capacity and capability to leverage McCain’s ongoing business. Certified vendors that demonstrate how their product or service will match our business needs will be poised for success.”

Steps to Success
Here are the steps McCain suggests its potential suppliers follow to increase chances of becoming a supplier.

Vendors must be certified as a minority-owned or woman-owned business by one of the following organizations: National Minority Supplier Development Council (www.nmsdcus.org) or the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (www.wbenc.org). Other certifications may be considered.

Vendors must also provide a proven track record of success and what it will be able to provide McCain.

Laurie Jecha-Beard, vice president of agriculture, McCain Foods USA, is among the McCain executives that has mentored minority and women-owned businesses on the process of certification.

"By doing business with diverse suppliers, we also have the opportunity to gain insights into a diverse set of perspectives,” says Jecha-Beard. “This is among the value-added aspects of diversifying our supplier base. We strongly encourage qualified suppliers to reach out to us.”

Annie’s Fun, McCain Foods USA Partner 

Columbia Basin, Wash., and Lisle, Ill.— McCain Foods USA and Annie’s Fun, a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of children, minorities and disadvantaged communities announced an agreement to work together to further the mission and goals of the organization.

Blaine Hirai, the chair of Annie’s Fun, said that McCain’s support will help provide scholastic support for dozens of minority students, as well making it possible for Annie's Fun to begin major efforts to provide critical food donations to several food banks in disadvantaged and rural communities. Annie’s Fun has a tradition of providing financial support for the Columbia Basin Foundation, the Japan-America) Society, the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, and the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance.

“McCain Foods USA is a friend to those in need,” said Hirai. “Their support will make a positive impact on the lives of minority youth and on the community as a whole. We are thrilled to have McCain on our team.”

Vivian Cosey-Glover, chief diversity officer, McCain Foods USA, will join the Key Stakeholder Advisory Committee to the Board of Directors of Annie’s Fun.

“We are pleased with the work Annie’s Fun is doing in the community and we look forward to a lasting partnership,” said Cosey-Glover. “McCain is conscious of the importance of making a positive impact in the community — and our work with Annie’s Fun is one way we approach support for the disadvantaged.”

August 2008
McCain Announces Diversity Advisory Committee

Lisle, Ill.—McCain Foods USA announced the creation of the McCain Diversity Advisory Committee (MDAC), which will focus on the development of initiatives that will enhance diversity within McCain, and by extension, throughout McCain’s supplier and partner network.

McCain Foods USA CEO Frank van Schaayk stated, “I am proud of the formation of this committee and the people who have volunteered to enhance diversity in our business. I am grateful for their efforts in this important endeavor.”

Frank Finn, the executive leader of the MDAC said, “Diversity is growing in importance in our business and industry. I am excited that McCain has created this committee. We believe the MDAC will contribute to McCain’s transformation into a model of diversity.”

McCain chief diversity officer Vivian Cosey-Glover said, “I thank the MDAC volunteers and look forward to working with committee members to identify and develop initiatives to improve diversity at McCain."

The committee consists of a diverse group of 18 employees. They are tasked with a host of responsibilities designed to integrate diversity into day-to-day business. In addition to generating new ideas, planning annual events and communicating with peers, Cosey-Glover says members of the MDAC will serve as agents of change.

“This group of people is critical to our diversity program,” she says. “They are our ambassadors and role models. We are counting on members of the committee to help get other people energized about the great potential diversity has for our business.”

Members of the MDAC include John Balasundaram, Vivian Cosey-Glover, Peggy Davies, Dierdre Dickerson, Frank Finn, Lily Hua, Laurie Jecha-Beard, Linda Lofquist, Beth Malinowski, Donna McCarthy, Valerie Mietz, Ian Mitchell, Tim Nevins, Mike O’Donnell, Francis Olatunji, Gary Shelton, Mike Thompson, and Laura Trevino.