On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Kellogg’s Multimillionaire CEO Gary Pilnick suggested “Cereal for Dinner” was an ‘on trend’ solution for poor families, and Kellogg has even created marketing campaigns to promote this as a realistic option for families.
Food companies have raised prices since the start of the pandemic to cover higher costs for labor, ingredients and transportation — and because they could. Cereal prices alone increased 28% since January of 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and in its latest fiscal year, Kellogg raised prices by 12%. And that’s without considering that cereal is a poor dinner option for a nutritious, balanced diet…
Thanks Gary, but we didn’t ask for your advice.
What may have started as the response railing against this sort of out-of-touch, corporate-greed-as-good statement, has turned into community-sourced alternatives and a 3-month plan to show Kellogg that we’ll be fine without them. So what are we doing about it?
Boycott Kellogg products from April 1 to June 30th (2024 Q2) by buying the store brand, making your own, and sharing resources for others to get involved.
This applies to those of us who can afford it and for whom it won’t be prohibitively difficult, as TallGirl said (if you haven’t yet, watch the video).
Scroll down or click the buttons below to access community contributed resources, to learn more, and take back your cereal cabinet.
Will a Boycott even work?
Boycotting Kellogg and other mega corporations isn’t easy, and this is intentional. It is an excellent way to use collective action for change though (Check out @nathanreo’s explainer here).
Our Demands for Kellogg
Lower Your Prices: Reduce the prices of all your products by 25% across the board. This will make your products more accessible and affordable to a wider audience, reflecting a commitment to economic fairness.
Do Not Take It Out On the Employees: We demand written assurance that the company will not only refrain from any form of retaliation against employees participating in or affected by the boycott but will also take proactive measures to ensure the stability and security of all employees’ positions during this time. Should we learn of any layoffs or other adverse impacts on employees, the boycott will continue until those affected are reinstated. This condition underscores our commitment to ensuring that our actions do not negatively impact employees.
Remove Chemical Carcinogens: We want you to stop using harmful chemicals in your food. We demand the same quality of ingredients in your products globally as those found in the UK, where stricter regulations ensure healthier food options. This change will demonstrate your commitment to the health and well-being of consumers worldwide.
While we’re at it, here’s some other things we’d like Kellogg to think about
Sustainable Practices: Demand Kellogg's commit to more sustainable agricultural and manufacturing practices to reduce their environmental footprint. This could include using more renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and sourcing ingredients from sustainable farming practices.
Transparency in Sourcing: Ask for greater transparency regarding where and how Kellogg's sources its ingredients. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the ethical standards of the supply chains of the products they purchase, including labor practices and environmental impact.
Nutritional Improvements: Beyond removing carcinogens, demand improvements in the nutritional content of Kellogg's products. This could involve reducing sugar and sodium levels, eliminating artificial flavors and colors, and increasing the use of natural and nutrient-rich ingredients.
Community Investment: Encourage Kellogg's to invest in community programs that promote nutrition education, food security, and support for underprivileged areas. This shows a commitment to the broader societal well-being beyond just their consumer base.
Packaging Reduction: Call for a reduction in plastic packaging and a move towards more eco-friendly packaging solutions to minimize waste and environmental impact.
How To Get Involved
Joining the "Let Them Eat Cereal" movement is about more than just boycotting; it's about spreading awareness, fostering community support, and encouraging corporate responsibility. Here's how you can get involved and make a difference:
Share the Link to Our Website
Share letthemeatcereal.info, on your social media platforms, in emails, and in conversations. Our website is the central hub for information on our mission, upcoming boycotts, and how to get involved.
Our website features a collection of artwork designed to visually communicate our message. We encourage you to use this artwork:
As profile pictures or cover photos on your social media.
In posts and stories to grab attention and spark curiosity.
Printed as flyers or posters for local community boards or events (where permitted).
Use the Artwork
Call to Action: Contribute Your Ideas
We're always looking for new ways to spread our message and engage more people in our cause. If you have ideas for additional outreach methods, like specific email templates, social media campaigns, hashtag suggestions, or anything else, please share them with us. Your creativity and insight can help propel our movement further. Contact us through our website or social media platforms with your suggestions. Use the contact form here.
Talk to People Not on Social Media
A personal conversation can be incredibly impactful. Discuss the movement with friends, family, and community members. Explain the goals, why you're passionate about it, and how they can join in. Sometimes, a face-to-face conversation or phone call motivates someone more than any online post.
Social Media Hashtags
Utilize hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts. Some suggested hashtags include:
#LetThemEatCereal
#BoycottKelloggs
#CorporateResponsibility
#HealthyEatingForAll
What Brands Does Kellogg Own?
Source: Brownfield AG News
Kellogg brands
In 2023, Kellogg split their company into two independent companies, Kellanova, which includes snack brands, and WK Kellogg Co, which includes the cereal business. This boycott includes both Kellogg companies.
Kellanova and Kellogg’s Brands - Google spreadsheet with the full list, some possible substitutions, and a list of Kellogg’s major investors.
Food Brand Ownership Chart - Google spreadsheet from @cancelthisclothingcompany with A LOT of information on cereal (and other) brands, their ownership and which are megacorp and which are family/founder owned. You’ll see Kellogg’s cereal list in this first tab.
History & Overview of Companies Kellogg owns - A comprehensive overview by Seriosity
Kellogg & MegaCorp Alternatives
Aldi alternatives - TikTok video which walks you through the Aldi brand alternatives that are cheaper and taste the same. Look for Millville brand.
Trader Joe’s alternatives - TikTok video walking through Trader Joe’s brand alternatives to Kellogg products.
Here’s some store brand cereals that are great alternatives to the Kellogg brand
Ready to try switching away from the mega-corporations (or as many as you can)? Below are some shopping alternatives to try.
Employee Owned Brands - TikTok by @teaandtransplants that points out brands to look out for when shopping that are employee-owned.
Image Source: Aldi.us
And now we have an anthem on Spotify
Learn More About Kellogg and your Cereal
Farm to Kelloggs $$ Breakdown - TikTok by @turtlesquilt that breaks down Kellogg’s executive compensation vs the farmers they buy from.
The Strange Story Behind Your Breakfast Cereal - It’s true. Corn Flakes were created to prevent masturbation.
People are Talking
Check out what people have to say about the boycott