GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
01-02-2002, 03:20 PM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Andrews, MB, Can
Posts: 60
GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
Cereal Company Joins in Partnership with Nation’s Largest Animal Rights Group- (12/11)
Other
General Mills, maker of a variety of breakfast cereals, is promoting the nation’s largest animal rights organization by distributing free calendars in specially marked boxes of Golden Grahams cereal.
The “Pets and Their Celebrities” 2002 calendars feature information from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and its Kids in Nature’s Defense (KIND) News. It includes photos of a number of celebrities and their pets, including Christina Applegate, David Alan Grier and Brendan Fraser.
KIND News is a classroom newspaper the HSUS uses to spread its animal rights message to children. Produced by the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education, a youth education division of the HSUS, this newspaper is printed monthly and is read by more than 1.2 million school children, grades K-6.
“General Mills has made a tremendous mistake in its support of the Humane Society of the United States,” said WLFA President Bud Pidgeon. “In this partnership, General Mills and Golden Grahams cereal are promoting an organization that is determined to eliminate the American traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, animal agriculture and other animal use.”
General Mills is not alone in their misunderstanding of the nation’s largest animal rights group.
“The HSUS has millions of people fooled into thinking it is raising money to save dogs and cats that are stranded in local shelters,” said Pidgeon. “The truth is HSUS does not operate or oversee any animal shelters. In fact, the organization spent less that one percent of its 1999 income of $67 million on grants to wildlife, animal habitat and dog and cat shelters.”
Take Action! Sportsmen should contact General Mills to express their extreme displeasure of its support for the Humane Society of the United States. Contact Stephen W. Sanger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Mills, at P.O. Box 1113, Minneapolis, MN, 55440 or call him at (763) 764-7600.
Other
General Mills, maker of a variety of breakfast cereals, is promoting the nation’s largest animal rights organization by distributing free calendars in specially marked boxes of Golden Grahams cereal.
The “Pets and Their Celebrities” 2002 calendars feature information from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and its Kids in Nature’s Defense (KIND) News. It includes photos of a number of celebrities and their pets, including Christina Applegate, David Alan Grier and Brendan Fraser.
KIND News is a classroom newspaper the HSUS uses to spread its animal rights message to children. Produced by the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education, a youth education division of the HSUS, this newspaper is printed monthly and is read by more than 1.2 million school children, grades K-6.
“General Mills has made a tremendous mistake in its support of the Humane Society of the United States,” said WLFA President Bud Pidgeon. “In this partnership, General Mills and Golden Grahams cereal are promoting an organization that is determined to eliminate the American traditions of hunting, fishing, trapping, animal agriculture and other animal use.”
General Mills is not alone in their misunderstanding of the nation’s largest animal rights group.
“The HSUS has millions of people fooled into thinking it is raising money to save dogs and cats that are stranded in local shelters,” said Pidgeon. “The truth is HSUS does not operate or oversee any animal shelters. In fact, the organization spent less that one percent of its 1999 income of $67 million on grants to wildlife, animal habitat and dog and cat shelters.”
Take Action! Sportsmen should contact General Mills to express their extreme displeasure of its support for the Humane Society of the United States. Contact Stephen W. Sanger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Mills, at P.O. Box 1113, Minneapolis, MN, 55440 or call him at (763) 764-7600.
01-03-2002, 09:04 AM
#3
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Andrews, MB, Can
Posts: 60
RE: GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
I've attached the letter I'm sending to General Mills. If you would like to use the same letter go ahead though please put your own name and address on the bottom.
Concerning the General Mills boycott. You may also want to go on their website and send General Mills and their associates and email. General Mills website is: www.generalmills.com
LETTER:
General Mills December 21, 2001 Mr. Stephen W. Sanger PO Box 1113 Minneapolis, MN 55440
Mr. Sanger, (Chairman & CEO of General Mills)
I’m writing this letter to inform you and “General Mills” that I and my family will be boycotting all “General Mills” and associated products!
It has come to my attention that “General Mills” is supporting the “Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)” by distributing free “HSUS 2002” calendars in specially marked boxes of Golden Grahams cereal.
My family is boycotting all “General Mills” products until the support of the “Humane Society of the United States” and or any other animal rights group(s) is stopped. I’m also strongly urging all my friends, relatives and acquaintances to boycott all “General Mills” products as well.
Name brands that I & my family are boycotting:
General Mills, Betty Crocker, Progresso, Yoplait, Green Giant, Lloyd’s, Old El Paso, Chex Mix, Fruit Roll-Ups, Pop Secret, Nature Valley, Pillsbury, Small Planet Foods, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen Organic
Regards Albert R. Hartwig Address City, State/Prov. Zip/Postal Code
Concerning the General Mills boycott. You may also want to go on their website and send General Mills and their associates and email. General Mills website is: www.generalmills.com
LETTER:
General Mills December 21, 2001 Mr. Stephen W. Sanger PO Box 1113 Minneapolis, MN 55440
Mr. Sanger, (Chairman & CEO of General Mills)
I’m writing this letter to inform you and “General Mills” that I and my family will be boycotting all “General Mills” and associated products!
It has come to my attention that “General Mills” is supporting the “Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)” by distributing free “HSUS 2002” calendars in specially marked boxes of Golden Grahams cereal.
My family is boycotting all “General Mills” products until the support of the “Humane Society of the United States” and or any other animal rights group(s) is stopped. I’m also strongly urging all my friends, relatives and acquaintances to boycott all “General Mills” products as well.
Name brands that I & my family are boycotting:
General Mills, Betty Crocker, Progresso, Yoplait, Green Giant, Lloyd’s, Old El Paso, Chex Mix, Fruit Roll-Ups, Pop Secret, Nature Valley, Pillsbury, Small Planet Foods, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen Organic
Regards Albert R. Hartwig Address City, State/Prov. Zip/Postal Code
01-04-2002, 07:25 AM
#4
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Andrews, MB, Can
Posts: 60
RE: GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
Dear Mr. Hartwig:
Thank you for contacting us to express your concern with the "Pets and their Celebrities" calendar currently being included with Golden Grahams cereal. The calendar promotes the benefits - and responsibilities - of pet ownership
We did not anticipate that a calendar promoting responsible pet ownership would be in any way controversial. Our focus was on the message the calendar conveys, about the wonders and benefits of being a pet owner, and reinforcing the responsibilities of pet ownership. We felt the calendar was an excellent vehicle to communicate that topic. In no way was it intended to convey that General Mills is against hunting, fishing or farming. General Mills is not anti-hunting or anti-fishing. We have even honored champion fisherman on the Wheaties box, most recently in August of 1999.
But we also now realize that some of the views espoused by HSUS, from whom we obtained the calendars, are not shared by an important number of customers and consumers. That point has been driven home by consumer contacts like yours, and we are taking your views to heart. Your views will certainly be shared with the decision-makers involved in this and future decisions regarding our promotional tie-in partners.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us and make us aware of your feeling on this matter.
Jeff Hagen
Director, Consumer Services
Thank you for contacting us to express your concern with the "Pets and their Celebrities" calendar currently being included with Golden Grahams cereal. The calendar promotes the benefits - and responsibilities - of pet ownership
We did not anticipate that a calendar promoting responsible pet ownership would be in any way controversial. Our focus was on the message the calendar conveys, about the wonders and benefits of being a pet owner, and reinforcing the responsibilities of pet ownership. We felt the calendar was an excellent vehicle to communicate that topic. In no way was it intended to convey that General Mills is against hunting, fishing or farming. General Mills is not anti-hunting or anti-fishing. We have even honored champion fisherman on the Wheaties box, most recently in August of 1999.
But we also now realize that some of the views espoused by HSUS, from whom we obtained the calendars, are not shared by an important number of customers and consumers. That point has been driven home by consumer contacts like yours, and we are taking your views to heart. Your views will certainly be shared with the decision-makers involved in this and future decisions regarding our promotional tie-in partners.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us and make us aware of your feeling on this matter.
Jeff Hagen
Director, Consumer Services
01-04-2002, 07:36 AM
#5
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Andrews, MB, Can
Posts: 60
RE: GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
Above was the reply I received from "General Mills"
Following is my reply to them:
Mr. Jeff Hagen,
Thank you for responding to my email. It never occurred to me until I started this boycott of "General Mills", how many products that my family purchases that are made by "General Mills" or one of there subsidiary companies. My children where upset they couldn't get there "French Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams and Cheerios" until my wife and I explained to them that it was companies like "General Mills" through lack of research or other reason that help promote the "Animal Rights Activist" agenda. So we purchased "Kellogg’s Corn Pops, Crispix & Honey Corn Flakes".
You stated below "We did not anticipate that a calendar promoting responsible pet ownership would be in any way controversial." It's not the calendar it's the organization. HSUS is the largest "Animal Rights Activist" organization in North America. HSUS is Anti- hunting, Anti-fishing, Anti-trapping and Anti-animal farming. They might come out with a nice calendar about pet ownership but HSUS’s subtle messages are for anti-animal use. HSUS’s funds don't go to helping animals it goes to promote the "Animal Rights Activist" propaganda and to stop the use of any animals under the guise of "Public Education". The rest goes into fund raising and administration. But what do they do for animals? The answer is nothing!!
My family will keep up the boycott against "General Mills" and all it's subsidiary companies until we see a nation wide advertising campaign explaining that the funds or donations given to the "Humane Society of the United States" was a mistake. That "General Mills" and all it subsidiary companies do not support the HSUS or any other animal rights organization or there ideals. It would also be nice to see "General Mills" make a further donation in the amount given to the HSUS to some children’s charity on top of "General Mills" normal charitable donations. My family & I will keep urging our friends, relatives and acquaintances to follow our lead and also boycott "General Mill".
I'm also posting this boycott and all these emails on the internet message boards to get as much support for this boycott as possible! This boycott might start large corporations like "General Mill" to start doing some research before they support fringe organizations
We'll be watching,
Albert Hartwig & Family
As you can see, I'm doing my best to follow through with my last statement. But I really could use everyones help to keep this going.
Following is my reply to them:
Mr. Jeff Hagen,
Thank you for responding to my email. It never occurred to me until I started this boycott of "General Mills", how many products that my family purchases that are made by "General Mills" or one of there subsidiary companies. My children where upset they couldn't get there "French Toast Crunch, Golden Grahams and Cheerios" until my wife and I explained to them that it was companies like "General Mills" through lack of research or other reason that help promote the "Animal Rights Activist" agenda. So we purchased "Kellogg’s Corn Pops, Crispix & Honey Corn Flakes".
You stated below "We did not anticipate that a calendar promoting responsible pet ownership would be in any way controversial." It's not the calendar it's the organization. HSUS is the largest "Animal Rights Activist" organization in North America. HSUS is Anti- hunting, Anti-fishing, Anti-trapping and Anti-animal farming. They might come out with a nice calendar about pet ownership but HSUS’s subtle messages are for anti-animal use. HSUS’s funds don't go to helping animals it goes to promote the "Animal Rights Activist" propaganda and to stop the use of any animals under the guise of "Public Education". The rest goes into fund raising and administration. But what do they do for animals? The answer is nothing!!
My family will keep up the boycott against "General Mills" and all it's subsidiary companies until we see a nation wide advertising campaign explaining that the funds or donations given to the "Humane Society of the United States" was a mistake. That "General Mills" and all it subsidiary companies do not support the HSUS or any other animal rights organization or there ideals. It would also be nice to see "General Mills" make a further donation in the amount given to the HSUS to some children’s charity on top of "General Mills" normal charitable donations. My family & I will keep urging our friends, relatives and acquaintances to follow our lead and also boycott "General Mill".
I'm also posting this boycott and all these emails on the internet message boards to get as much support for this boycott as possible! This boycott might start large corporations like "General Mill" to start doing some research before they support fringe organizations
We'll be watching,
Albert Hartwig & Family
As you can see, I'm doing my best to follow through with my last statement. But I really could use everyones help to keep this going.
01-04-2002, 08:16 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: delaware ohio USA
Posts: 27
RE: GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
Less than one percent of it's income spent on what it is known for! I think general mills won't be recieving income from TMH. Wow. I did always think the humane society was for dogs and cats and stuff like that. Guess I was naive.<img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>
01-05-2002, 12:40 PM
#7
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Andrews, MB, Can
Posts: 60
RE: GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
tussey mountain hunter,
You aren't naive, why do you think they call themselves "Humane Society of the United States"? The reason is they fiqured the average person would think they were the animal shelters, Which is one thing for sure they are not!
How else do you think they can make 81 million dollars a year? I support my local Humane Society but I drop the donation off in person I don't mail it to a Post Office box.
Lets keep plugging away folks.
You aren't naive, why do you think they call themselves "Humane Society of the United States"? The reason is they fiqured the average person would think they were the animal shelters, Which is one thing for sure they are not!
How else do you think they can make 81 million dollars a year? I support my local Humane Society but I drop the donation off in person I don't mail it to a Post Office box.
Lets keep plugging away folks.
01-29-2002, 09:42 PM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: McMinnville Oregon USA
Posts: 214
RE: GENERAL MILLS BOYCOTT
Greets,
What an education! Honestly my first reaction to this idea was to think you were misinformed. But since I didnt want to be ignorant and just assume anything, I visited the HSUS website... I Always figured they were for the pets and stuff too, my hat is off to you and those who continue to fight these things. I also informed my wife that she is no longer allowed to donate to the HSUS, a practice we have held for years.
Thanks for the eye opener, and any who dont beleivethey are against our hunting, just go to there website and check out the wildlife area.
This time not so uneducated
Just my uneducated opinion!
Terry
What an education! Honestly my first reaction to this idea was to think you were misinformed. But since I didnt want to be ignorant and just assume anything, I visited the HSUS website... I Always figured they were for the pets and stuff too, my hat is off to you and those who continue to fight these things. I also informed my wife that she is no longer allowed to donate to the HSUS, a practice we have held for years.
Thanks for the eye opener, and any who dont beleivethey are against our hunting, just go to there website and check out the wildlife area.
This time not so uneducated
Just my uneducated opinion!
Terry
