Ben’s Original, previously Uncle Ben’s, rolls out first packaging under new name

When Ben’s Authentic first introduced its packaging overhaul in September, it additionally mentioned it might make investments $2.5 million in Greenville, Mississippi, the place the 75-year-old model has produced its rice for U.S. prospects for the previous 40 years; together with starting group outreach packages and introducing “Seat on the Desk” $25,000 scholarships in partnership with the Nationwide City League and United Negro School Fund for college kids pursuing culinary arts or meals science levels.

With the rollout of the brand new packaging, Ben’s Authentic introduced its funding in Greenville will final for the subsequent 5 years, with the cash going in the direction of college students within the space and serving to present entry to contemporary meals.

For the scholarships, the model says the primary spherical of recipients might be introduced on the finish of the summer season, and new rounds are deliberate for the subsequent 4 years. Ben’s Authentic can also be opening up the scholarships to Black highschool seniors for quite a lot of post-high college training prospects.

“Ben’s Authentic is not only a reputation and packaging change—we imagine everybody deserves to really feel welcome, heard and have entry to nutritious meals,” mentioned Rafael Narvaez, world chief advertising and marketing officer and analysis and growth officer at Mars Meals in an announcement. “That’s why we’ve dedicated to taking actions based mostly on insights from 1000’s of customers, in addition to our personal associates, designed to reinforce inclusion and fairness in service of our new model goal to create meals, experiences and alternatives that supply everybody a seat on the desk.”