October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, hence the sprinkling of pink ribbons around trees, 5Ks featuring runners decked in pink athleisure and clothing brands offering sales and limited-edition pink items to support breast cancer-focused nonprofits. The food sector is not missing out on recognizing the 1 in 8 women who are diagnosed with cancer and the countless others who have family and friends affected by the disease.
Before jumping into the sales of the month, buyers should be sure to screen brands to ensure that they are truly supporting the cause rather than exploiting the charitable image of the month to make a profit on pink-themed items. Miranda McKeon, social media influencer and breast cancer survivor, said she looks for brands that donate at least 15% of proceeds from their Breast Cancer Month campaign products as a benchmark. Under this benchmark, McKeon said it can come off as the companies exploiting breast cancer survivors for profit, and if 15% is not a healthy amount for an individual company, she suggests they make a flat donation.
These five food brands meet McKeon’s benchmark in supporting the month while bringing greater awareness to breast cancer.
Cedar’s Foods
Cedar’s Foods, a brand famous for their hummus, donates $50,000 annually to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Their packaging is also donned with a pink ribbon for the month of October.
The food brand’s initiative is called “Cedar’s with Heart,” and it highlights and supports breast cancer research, prevention and support for those affected. Since becoming a partner of BCRF in 2020, the brand has contributed a total of $251,850 and funded over 5,000 hours of research.
Krispy Kreme
To enjoy a dozen donuts and make a difference in, Krispi Kreme runs a campaign during the month of October in which 50% of proceeds go to Pink Ribbon Good — an organization that supports women battling breast and gynecological cancer.
Through a link of Pink Ribbon Good’s website, customers can order a dozen Original Glazed donuts online through the end of the month.
Ess-a-Bagel
Through the month, Ess-a-Bagel is supporting the American Cancer Society and Making Strides against Breast Cancer. The bagel brand is selling pink bagels and a limited-edition Cherry Almond Cream Cheese.
Ess-a-Bagel donates 15% of its proceeds to Making Strides of Central Park, and it will also be selling pink tote bags and wrist bands with the same percentage of sales being donated.
PAUL Bakery UK
PAUL Bakery UK is partnering with the charity Future Dreams for Breast Cancer Awareness month. The brand is donating £1 from every large raspberry macaron sold in stores and 20% of every online Pink Fraisier cake sale.
Future Dreams offers in-person and online services to support women diagnosed with breast cancer, funds breast cancer research, and promotes awareness for the disease.
Panera Bread
Panera supports the breast cancer community through its Pink Ribbon Bagels — bagels shaped in the form of the breast cancer ribbon that feature cherry chips, dried cherries, cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar.
The donations that come from the sale of the bagels and the “round up” option support the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation and the Cancer Caring Center.