SANDERSON FARMS : A CULTURE OF GIVING BACK

There is a sea change occurring within corporate America as companies seek to meet the rising expectations of their employees and customers. Often described as the most difficult generation to please, the Millennial consumer and workforce not only want to know an organization's mission, but they demand that the organization stand behind and demonstrate a drive to meet that mission. This new generation has also demonstrated a willingness to leave or abandon support for companies whose purpose and mission don't align with their own values. By placing the Golden Rule at the heart of business, companies are finding that the more they give, indeed, the more they receive.

As the economy continues to strengthen, so does the generosity of corporations. According to Giving USA, companies increased their charitable contributions last year by nearly 12%. Data from the latest Giving In Numbers shows that companies most deeply invested in society were also the ones that saw the most robust financial performance. Evidence is growing to support the fact that purpose-driven companies - companies with a purpose beyond making a profit - are better positioned for growth. This evidence supports the notion that purpose propels performance.

In addition to impacting performance, a demonstrated willingness and drive to achieve a purpose to improve the lives of others also impacts consumer and employee trust. Now more than ever, customers and employees have greater expectations of companies, as each are starting to demand that their suppliers and employees demonstrate a commitment to society. According to the 2016 Edelman Trust Barometer, 50% of consumers cite a company's failure to contribute to the greater good as their reason for distrust of business.

For employees, research shows that the younger generation, specifically Millennials, want to work for responsible employers that offer community-engagement opportunities. America's Charities article Snapshot 2015: The New Corporate DNA­ - Where Employee Engagement and Social Impact Converge, states, 'As companies have begun to recognize that giving back is not an optional perk for employees but an expected cornerstone of every company's DNA, employers are substantially integrating this ideology into their corporate goals and messaging.'

If corporate responsibility is to be woven into the fabric of a company's DNA, it has to stem from the executive leadership. At Sanderson Farms, Inc., the nation's third largest poultry producer, Chairman and CEO, Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., is the perfect example of such leadership, operating with the same belief as his father, Joe F. Sanderson, Sr., who often said the company would only be as successful as the communities in which it operates. This is the belief by which he guides his Fortune 1000 organization. He understands that in addition to achieving unparalleled growth, producing the highest quality products available in the poultry industry, and providing unparalleled customer service, a true sense of corporate responsibility to employees and the communities of which the company is a part are obligations just as important as the former.

'Our success is about much more than just becoming a bigger company and corporate profits,' said Sanderson. 'We believe our success is best measured by meeting our responsibility to our people, our process and our products, as well as to our customers and shareholders.'

As stewards of the community, one of the ways Sanderson Farms meets this responsibility is through charitable giving. In fiscal year 2015, the organization donated over $1.1 million to charitable organizations, including more than $370,000 through the United Way in the communities in which the company operates.
'If you can imagine a company moving to a community and improving the quality of life for thousands of individuals and families, that's what Sanderson Farms did for Lenoir County [North Carolina],' said June Cummings, Executive Director, Lenoir/Greene United Way. 'When they came, not only their corporate gift, but their employee gifts to United Way have made a tremendous difference, not only in the number of organizations we were able to support, but also with the amount of money we are able to give to each of the organizations.'

Sanderson Farms' continued success is shaped by its unwavering commitment to operational excellence, as well as its strong sense of values that support environmental and social responsibility. Named among America's 100 Most Trustworthy Companies by Forbes Magazine, the company takes seriously its commitment to do the right thing by being responsible and protecting the environment and one another.

'Sanderson Farms has been a good corporate partner,' said Angela Castellow, Director, United Way of Colquitt County, Georgia. 'They've had a strong employee campaign, so all of their employees are given the opportunity to donate to United Way. And they've matched, dollar-for-dollar, what their employees have given. I would say, with Sanderson Farms, you would be lucky to have such a strong partner moving into your community.'

Since 2012, Sanderson Farms has donated nearly 1,000,000 pounds of poultry to charitable organizations. Additionally, the Sanderson Farms Championship, as part of the PGA TOUR, has generated over $2.7 million in donations to Friends of Children's Hospital, a fundraising organization supporting Mississippi's only children's hospital.

Since 1993, Sanderson Farms has built more poultry complexes that any other company in the nation. With 11 processing facilities, nine hatcheries and eight feed mills spanning five states in 16 different communities, the company strives to grow responsibly by focusing on its commitment to the communities in which it operates.

'Sanderson Farms has done everything they said they would do and more, 'said Bill Ellis, Director of Parks & Recreation for Kinston, North Carolina. 'Before they even opened their doors, they donated 40,000 cubic yards of dirt so we could build a soccer complex. They sponsor youth baseball teams. Their workers come in and clean up along the riverbank. They help at the Nature Center. They just really care about our community and they want to be a part of it. From the plant manager down to the line employee, they really want to work together to make the community a better place.'