Month: June 2026
Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News
Meat-eating has been connected with masculinity for a long time in Western countries. There are even studies on what drives the meat-masculinity link. Between the continued popularity of the “Carnivore Diet” and the meat-forward new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, you might be wondering if the science on meat-eating has changed recently. Here’s the latest on red meat and health, and practical ways to manage meat in your diet.
What Does Meat Bring to the Table?
Overall, meat has a lot of good nutrition going for it. It contributes essential nutrients including protein, minerals (such as iron, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus), vitamins (A and multiple B vitamins), and bioactive compounds such as creatine. A recent systematic review article found that, in general, meat-eaters are more likely to have high intakes of protein, some B vitamins, and zinc. However, they are also more likely to have inadequate consumption of nutrients prevalent in plants (such as fiber, polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, folate, and magnesium). Meat is also a major source of saturated fat.
Meat and Health
Decades of research show an association between red meat, processed meat, and higher risk for certain diseases. Saturated fat, and its impact on cholesterol levels, used to be considered the main connection between meat consumption and disease. However, as science has evolved, there appears to be more to it. For example, researchers now recognize the gut microbiome’s response to a diet high in meat as an important factor. Another is the overall nutritional impact of eating a meat-heavy diet compared to one with plentiful plant foods. Here are some recent findings in the areas where meat appears to have the most detrimental impact on health:
Cardiovascular Disease. A 2023 meta-analysis of nine studies found that eating unprocessed red meat correlates with a significant increase in total stroke incidence. Eating greater amounts of meat was also found to increase cardiovascular disease in people aged 65+ in the U.S. And a large study in the UK followed participants’ consumption of processed meat for up to 30 years. It found that for each 50g increase (slightly less than 2 oz), risk of heart disease increased by 18%. In comparison, for unprocessed red meat, that 50g increase boosted heart disease risk by 9%. There was no clear link between eating poultry and cardiovascular disease risk.
Type 2 Diabetes. There was a large study in 2024 that included subjects from 20 different countries. Its findings suggest that greater consumption of unprocessed red meat, processed meat, and poultry increases risk for type 2 diabetes. However, controlled clinical trials have not shown a clear link. Still, the American Diabetes Association recommends eating patterns that emphasize seafood and plant proteins instead of red and processed meat. These include a Mediterranean-style eating pattern, a vegetarian diet, or plant-forward, lower-fat meal plans.
Colorectal Cancer. A 2022 study compared cancer risks of regular meat-eaters to low meat-eaters for 11 years. (Regular = people who eat meat, processed meat, and poultry more than five times per week. Low = those who eat meat products five or fewer times per week.) Compared to the regular meat-eaters, being a low meat-eater correlated with a lower risk of all cancers—including colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, both unprocessed red meat and processed meats likely cause cancer. And the risk increases with the amount of meat consumed.
Differences Between Red Meat and Processed Meat
Red meat refers to mammalian muscle meat, such as beef, lamb, pork, veal, venison, and goat. Processed meat has been salted, smoked, fermented, cured, or otherwise treated to flavor and preserve it. Examples of processed meats include hot dogs, deli meats of all kinds, sausages, canned meats, and ham.
Some of the health impacts of eating meat focus more on processed meat than red meat. This could be due to their higher salt content or the synthetic ingredients in processed meats, such as nitrates and nitrites. The Guiding Stars meat algorithm takes the presence of added sodium, added sugar, and additives like these into consideration. And it debits those products that include one or more of them.
Meeting Protein Needs With Less Meat
Men may be eating more protein than they really need. Most American adults meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein, and males age 19 – 60 generally exceed that amount. What’s more, protein needs can be easily met with a combination of animal foods and plant foods. And this holds true even for those who might need more protein than the average person, such as athletes.
To get meat’s nutritional benefits without adding risk for chronic disease, mix up your protein sources and decrease meat overall. You don’t need to eliminate meat completely (unless you want to do so). Here are our top tips for being more choosy about the amount and types of meat on your plate:
- When shopping for meat, prioritize whole-muscle meat and poultry instead of processed meat items.
- Look for Guiding Stars-earning meat items to help you select the most nutritious options.
- Reduce your red meat consumption gradually. Swap out one or two servings of meat per week with fish, seafood, and poultry instead.
- Avoid buying fresh or frozen meat items that have added breading or include added solutions for weight-retention or flavoring.
- Aim to have a couple of meatless dinners per week. There are plenty of plant proteins that are delicious, nutritious, and usually less pricey than meat. And Guiding Stars has lots of Star-earning, satisfying vegetarian recipes.
Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores, in Circana’ Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.
Image by Freepik
Newsletter originally published on GoDaddy LinkedIn
Welcome to the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab quarterly update on small and microbusiness activity across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia!
Data Hub Refresh – Which industries and regions saw activity?
The Microbusiness Data Hub has been refreshed through March 2026, including small business entrepreneur survey responses and capturing the latest concentrations in entrepreneurship, geographically and by industry through our commerce data. Excerpts below:
LinkedIn Live – Future of Work on June 2nd and April Recap
We’ve kicked off data-forward conversations with inspiring and insightful leaders when it comes to entrepreneurship.
One recent discussion explored the idea that the next generation of leaders will manage hybrid teams of humans and AI agents, and how that shift is already reshaping careers, entrepreneurship, and the economy itself.
If you missed the live conversation, you can now watch the replay featuring Alexandra Rosen, head of the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab, and Tarja Stephens, human-AI workforce strategist and founder of Leaders of the Future, as they discuss the future of work, AI, and the rise of portfolio entrepreneurship.
Watch the replay: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7465149138683211776?viewAsMember=true
Last quarter, we covered how mall businesses are an essential, and often early, lens on what’s happening in the economy. Alexandra Rosen was joined by Victor W. Hwang, founder & CEO of Right to Start, for a live conversation on new small business data, opportunity unlocked by entrepreneurship, and what this signals for what’s next.
You can watch the replay here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7445933974629265409?viewAsMember=true
For ongoing updates on GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab data, events, and broader trends around small businesses and entrepreneurship, subscribe to the newsletter.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ and America250
Philadelphia holds a unique place in the American story. It is the city where the nation’s founding ideals were debated, defined, and declared—a place where history continues to inspire the future. And for those of us at Comcast, it’s more than a historic place. It’s home.
This year, Philadelphia is at the center of several extraordinary global moments including the 250th anniversary of American independence and FIFA World Cup 2026™. Together, they represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the world, once again, what makes this city special. Through targeted investments and partnerships, Comcast has helped to support making both moments worthy of Philadelphia’s place in history.
Bringing the World Cup to Philadelphia
Philadelphia will host six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches this summer, and for soccer fans across the globe, the city will become a destination unlike any other. From the moment we began working to bring the World Cup here in 2019—when Comcast co-chaired the bid process—we knew this would be a defining chapter for our hometown.
Today, Michelle Singer, Comcast’s Senior Vice President of Political Engagement, and Dan Hilferty, Comcast Spectacor Chairman & CEO, together co-chair Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the host committee responsible for planning and executing the city’s World Cup experience. For years, they have worked alongside public, private, and civic partners to prepare for the scale of the tournament, supporting the planning, fundraising, and coordination necessary to welcome fans from around the world. Through their leadership, Philadelphia is expecting up to $770 million in economic impact, benefiting the region long after the final match is called.
On the broadcast side, Telemundo, which is part of the Comcast family of companies, is the exclusive Spanish-language home for the tournament and will air all 104 matches live, including a historic July 4th game right here in Philadelphia. Overall, Telemundo will deliver 700 hours of World Cup programming from June 11 through July 19, with 92 matches airing free over-the-air, the most FIFA World Cup matches ever broadcast on a U.S. network in any language. Every match will also stream on Peacock and the Telemundo app.
Earlier this year, Comcast NBCUniversal and Telemundo62, in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Soccer Forward Foundation, launched the Vamos World Cup Initiative. The initiative provided a total of $600,000 in funding to nonprofits across the U.S. that use soccer to create opportunity, build leadership and move communities forward. Here in Philadelphia, local nonprofits JT Dorsey Foundation and Safe-Hub were among the 17 organizations nationwide that received grants and was awarded during Telemundo’s Tu Momento. Tu Jugada—a multi-city mobile experience tour that brought youth clinics, fan experiences, and the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event directly to Northeast Philadelphia.
Lemon Hill, one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful public spaces, will serve as the site of the official FIFA Fan Festival, welcoming tens of thousands of fans who may not have match tickets but still want to enjoy a worldclass gameday experience. Comcast expanded its network to the Lemon Hill, providing new connectivity to the area to support city operations with Comcast Business services, including multi-gigabit, symmetrical Internet from America’s smartest and most reliable converged network. WiFi hotspots will support attendees celebrating all the World Soccer events that will be held there. Xfinity WiFi hotspots have also been permanently installed in the park and will be available for customers, delivering an added benefit for Xfinity Mobile devices that will enjoy speeds up to 1 Gig with WiFi PowerBoost when they auto-connect to those hotspots.
Comcast has also invested in the restoration of Lemon Hill through our partnership with Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and Fairmount Park Conservancy, helping ensure the space is safe, welcoming, and ready with the support of our employee-volunteers. Our teammates have gone even further, signing on as official FIFA volunteers, dedicating eight days of personal time to help make the match-day and Fan Fest experiences exceptional for every guest.
Beyond Fan Fest, we are supporting Fairmount Park Conservancy’s revitalization of FDR Park in South Philadelphia—a 348-acre transformation that will create opportunity in surrounding neighborhoods long after the final match.
And at Building 21, in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, we opened a new mini-pitch so Philadelphia kids have more safe places to play.
America 250 & Where It All Began
Two hundred and fifty years ago, Philadelphia set a new nation in motion. As a founding partner of Philadelphia250—the Philadelphia Visitor Center’s initiative to commemorate this milestone—Comcast is helping this Semiquincentennial honor this legacy by delivering lasting benefits to communities, through partnerships including:
- Welcome America, the beloved 16-day citywide festival that this year coincides with the World Cup—and is sponsored by Comcast, NBC10, Telemundo 62, and NBC Sports Philadelphia—will fill neighborhoods with free events open to every resident and visitor, offering a living expression of what this anniversary truly means.
- Philadelphia250’s Block Party Bonanza brings Semiquincentennial celebrations to neighborhoods across the city by supporting 250 free community block parties with themed kits, activities, and grocery gift cards.
- The Museum of the American Revolution’s The Declaration’s Journey, which explores the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence through rare documents, artwork, and artifacts and shows how it influenced independence movements in more than 100 nations.
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts presenting A Nation of Artists—an exhibition that brings together three collections to celebrate 250 years of American creativity across two Philadelphia institutions.
- ArtPhilly’s What Now Festival, a five-week multidisciplinary showcase running May 27 to July 2, that spotlights Philadelphia’s artists as interpreters of this complex and exhilarating American moment.
- The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) production of 1776: The Musical, performed by students across the School District of Philadelphia.
- The Rosenbach Museum & Library is preserving irreplaceable artifacts that tell Philadelphia’s story for generations to come.
- The Belmont Mansion serves as a historic landmark and Underground Railroad museum.
- The Philadelphia Funders Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial is providing funding to dozens of local organizations dedicated to honoring Philadelphia’s role in our nation’s founding and how to continue its legacy.
Over the past decade, Comcast has provided millions in cash and in-kind support to organizations celebrating America’s 250th anniversary—and we look forward to continuing to support what comes for the next 250 years.
Bringing Us Together
This summer will be remarkable not because of any single event or investment, but because of what all of it represents together: a city and nation founded on the ideals that all people are created equal, opening its arms to the world through sport, art, history, and music. Our community of neighbors, volunteers, artists, students, and fans are a special part of celebrating our legacy and making this a defining moment that our city will always be proud of.
Comcast NBCUniversal is honored to be part of every chapter of that story—through broadcast, streaming connectivity, and community investments. Philadelphia has always been a place where people come together around big ideas. This year, the world is joining us. We couldn’t be more ready or more grateful to call Philly home.
Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation
Originally published on Aflac Newsroom
By any measure, firefighters accept extraordinary risk in the line of duty. Flames, smoke, collapsing structures — these are the dangers most visible to the public. But for Brian Ryll, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire, the most insidious threat is the one that often goes unseen: cancer.
Confronting an invisible enemy
Under Brian’s steady and determined leadership, New Hampshire has taken a decisive step to confront that threat head on. With the passage of Senate Bill 352, nearly 4,000 professional firefighters across the state now have access to comprehensive early cancer detection screenings, an initiative that advocates say could save countless lives.
Backed by $5 million in state funding, the program provides cutting-edge screening tools, including early detection blood tests, diagnostic ultrasounds and low-dose lung CT scans. Together, these measures can significantly improve the odds of identifying cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Together, these tools can mark a shift from reactive to proactive care, catching the disease before it progresses.
For Brian, the legislation is more than a policy victory — it is a deeply personal mission that also led to him receiving recognition as an Aflac Check for Cancer Champion.
“I’m honored to be named a Check for Cancer Champion,” Brian said. “I accept this recognition on behalf of my Executive Board, whose tireless advocacy has helped provide early cancer detection screenings to firefighters across New Hampshire. But to the legislature and the governor for working in a bipartisan fashion to make it happen. This honor reflects a commitment to protecting those who risk everything to keep their communities safe. Early detection and treatment save lives, and we are grateful for the support of Aflac and their recognition of these efforts.”
Why firefighters face higher cancer risks — and what’s being done
The statistics underscore his urgency. Firefighters are known to have higher rates of cancer compared with the general population, a reality linked to prolonged exposure to carcinogens released during fires.1 Despite advances in protective gear, toxic exposure remains an unavoidable occupational risk.
That reality has shaped Brian’s advocacy. As president of the statewide union, he has worked tirelessly with policymakers, medical experts and fellow firefighters to help elevate awareness of occupational cancer risks. Senate Bill 352 represents the culmination of those efforts — a refreshing convergence of political will, public health expertise and union advocacy.
The program has already begun to resonate beyond the firefighting community. Public health advocates view New Hampshire’s initiative as a potential model for other states grappling with firefighter cancer risks. By making early detection accessible and comprehensive, the state is addressing a problem that has long simmered beneath the surface of emergency services.
How this effort is changing the future of firefighter health
Looking ahead, Brian hopes the initiative will not only save lives but also shift the national conversation around firefighter health.
“This is about changing the culture,” Brian has emphasized in various forums. “We need to prioritize prevention and early detection just as much as we prioritize response.”
In firehouses across New Hampshire, that cultural shift is already underway. Firefighters who once accepted cancer risk as an unavoidable consequence of the job now have access to tools that could catch the disease early.
For the families who depend on them, that change means something immeasurable: more time, more milestones, more moments that might otherwise have been lost. And for Brian Ryll, it is the clearest measure of success. It is what measures him as a champion.
The Check for Cancer Champions program is part of Aflac’s Check for Cancer initiative, a bold, national movement to increase cancer screenings by 10% over 10 years. Learn more about the Check for Cancer movement by visiting Aflac.com/CheckForCancer.
1 National Fire Protection Association. Firefighters and cancer. Updated July 25, 2025. https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/emergency-response/firefighters-and-cancer. Accessed on June 10, 2026.
Aflac WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Z2600386 EXP 6/27
Top Takeaways
- Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) data helped strengthen Komar’s climate strategy, providing critical facility-level environmental data that contributed to the development and SBTi validation of the company’s new near-term, long-term, and net-zero emissions reduction targets.
- Komar achieved 100 percent Higg FEM participation across more than 275 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, with over 80 percent completing verification, creating a robust foundation of primary supply chain environmental data.
- By combining Higg FEM data with other insights, Komar improved the measurement of Scope 3 Category 1 emissions, which represent more than 70 percent of its total carbon footprint, moving beyond estimated data to more representative primary data.
- Supplier engagement was treated as a capability-building exercise, rather than a compliance requirement, with customized training and support helping suppliers identify hotspots, establish baselines, and drive continuous environmental improvement.
- Improved data quality translated into more ambitious climate commitments, including SBTi-approved targets to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 65 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 25 percent by 2030 from a 2024 baseline, while committing to achieve net-zero emissions across the value chain by 2050.
As Komar’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Thiwanka De Fonseka, explained in a recent “Source of Good” podcast episode, as the company expanded its sustainability strategy, leadership recognized that stronger climate commitments would require stronger data. Improving the quality, accuracy, and coverage of emissions data across the value chain became a strategic priority – particularly for Scope 3 emissions, which represent the vast majority of the apparel sector’s climate impact.
To build that foundation, Komar turned to industry-aligned tools, including the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), which is stewarded and governed by Cascale and implemented globally through the Worldly sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform.
The result: a stronger emissions data foundation, greater visibility into supply chain impacts, and newly validated SBTi near-term, long-term, and net-zero targets from a 2024 baseline year.
Building a More Accurate Picture of Scope 3 Emissions
For many apparel brands, Scope 3 emissions remain one of the most difficult areas to measure accurately. Estimates often rely on secondary data and generalized emissions factors that provide only a partial picture of value-chain impacts. Komar sought a different approach.
Under the company’s “Planet” strategic pillar, which is one of the two main pillars of its holistic sustainability strategy, “Sus-Tex 2030”, the Higg FEM became a key tool for collecting facility-level environmental data across its supply chain. This includes information related to energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, wastewater management, waste generation, and chemical management.
Beginning in 2024, Komar expanded supplier participation in the Higg FEM and integrated the resulting facility-level insights into its broader climate strategy. At the same time, the company adopted Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator to improve the measurement of Scope 3 Category 1 emissions, which account for more than 70 percent of Komar’s total greenhouse gas footprint.
Together, the Higg FEM and Worldly’s Product Impact Calculator (PIC) enabled Komar to move beyond estimated emissions calculations and incorporate increasingly robust primary data from suppliers, materials, and manufacturing operations.
“One of our first tasks was to create a proper strategy and then identify credible tools to collect the data needed to monitor progress,” De Fonseka said. “If you have a strategy without credible data, there’s nothing you can do.”
Scaling Higg FEM Across the Supply Chain
To support its climate and environmental goals, Komar launched a comprehensive supplier engagement program centered on the Higg FEM. The company began by mandating participation in the Higg FEM for its strategic suppliers in 2023, then expanded the requirement across its T1 and T2 suppliers in 2024 as a “mandatory” requirement.
As reported in the Komar 2025 Sustainability Progress Report, published in 2025 (based on 2024 calendar year data):
- More than 275 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers have completed Higg FEM self-assessments.
- More than 80 percent have completed verification.
- Komar has achieved 100 percent Higg FEM participation across Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.
Importantly, Komar did not approach completion of the Higg FEM as a compliance exercise. Recognizing that many facilities lack dedicated sustainability teams, the company developed customized training programs, practical toolkits, and supplier support resources designed to help facilities use their own data to identify hotspots, establish baselines, develop action plans, and drive continuous improvement. “We consider the Higg FEM to be an improvement tool rather than a data collection tool or audit tool,” said De Fonseka.
As supplier engagement increased, environmental performance improved. Average Higg FEM scores rose from the 40-point range to the 60-point range, reflecting stronger environmental management systems and greater understanding of sustainability performance across the supply chain.
From Higg FEM Data to SBTi Validation
As Komar’s data quality improved, the company undertook a comprehensive review of its climate targets. Informed by Higg FEM and Worldly PIC data, Komar established a new set of science-based targets, with 2024 as the baseline year.
The updated targets reflect improvements in data quality, emissions accounting methodologies, and value-chain coverage, creating a stronger and more accurate foundation for long-term climate action.
Komar’s newly approved SBTi commitments include:
- Net-Zero Target: Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by 2050.
- Near-Term Target (2030): Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent; reduce absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent.
- Long-Term Target (2050): Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent; reduce absolute Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent.
For Komar, the approval of these targets represents more than a climate milestone. It demonstrates how credible, primary supply chain data can strengthen corporate climate strategies and support more ambitious decarbonization pathways.
Looking Ahead
Komar views target validation as a starting point, not the finish line. “Setting emissions reduction targets is often one of the easiest steps in an organization’s decarbonization journey,” says De Fonseka. “The greater challenge lies in implementing the meaningful actions, investments, and transformational initiatives required to achieve those targets.”
The company is currently finalizing its Climate Transition Plan and 2025 Sustainability Annual Report, which will outline the actions being taken to achieve its approved science-based targets.
As a privately held company, Komar is not required to publicly disclose this information. However, consistent with its commitment to transparency and continuous improvement, the company has chosen to share its progress publicly. Komar is demonstrating how better data can enable more credible climate commitments and help turn net-zero ambition into measurable action.
AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., June 17, 2026 /3BL/ – Cascale today announced the program for its 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece. Bringing together more than 700 leaders from across the consumer goods value chain, the hybrid event will explore how the industry can more effectively distribute the costs, responsibilities, incentives, and benefits tied to supply chain transformation.
Celebrating the 15th edition of Cascale’s flagship convening, the Annual Meeting will feature more than 80 speakers, four stages of programming plus virtual access, and dedicated opportunities for executive-level engagement. Ying McGuire, who assumed the role of Cascale CEO on June 1, will take the stage to share her perspective on the next chapter for Cascale and the role of collective industry action to advance measurable environmental and social progress.
“As the industry navigates rising expectations alongside growing operational and economic pressures, collaboration must become more actionable, measurable, and business-driven,” said Ying McGuire, CEO, Cascale. “I see this Annual Meeting as an opportunity to convene leaders around a shared vision for progress — one where sustainability is embedded into core business strategy, supported by trusted data and aligned incentives, and capable of delivering value across the entire supply chain. My vision for Cascale is to help the industry build the partnerships and accountability needed to accelerate that transition at scale.”
Key Takeaways
- Cascale has released the program for its 2026 Annual Meeting in Athens
- The September 15–17 hybrid event will convene 700+ leaders from across the global consumer goods ecosystem
- Incoming CEO Ying McGuire will set the course for collaboration, accountability, and long-term industry transformation
- Four stages and virtual access – main and impact stages will be livestreamed – will support global participation
- Sponsorship opportunities are still available
A Program Centered on Practical Transformation
Hosted at the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, the 2026 Annual Meeting will focus on how companies across the value chain can align around practical approaches to financing and implementing sustainability initiatives while strengthening business resilience and competitiveness.
The agenda will bring together perspectives from brands, retailers, manufacturers, policymakers, NGOs, and solution providers to examine how the industry can move from fragmented efforts toward coordinated, scalable action.
“Progress depends on building greater consistency, transparency, and trust across the value chain. Ensuring representation from organizations working across compliance, verification, manufacturing, retail, and sustainability strategy helps create conversations that are grounded in operational realities while still pushing the industry toward more ambitious outcomes.” — Rick Horwitch, Bureau Veritas chief of supply chain & sustainability strategy & global retail lead and and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member
“Supply chain transformation requires deeper collaboration across every stage of production and sourcing.Cascale’s Annual meeting creates a space where manufacturers from all tiers, brands, sourcing organizations and solution providers to exchange practical experience, learn from one another, and develop scalable solutions to the shared challenges facing today’s and tomorrow’s consumer goods industry.” — Jonathan Salmon, Li & Fung (Trading) Limited head of sustainability and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member
“Brands and retailers have an important role to play in helping align market expectations, purchasing practices, and sustainability priorities. But meaningful transformation only happens when the full ecosystem is part of the discussion. A program shaped by diverse industry perspectives creates stronger opportunities for collaboration, accountability, and scalable impact.” — Liz Lipton-McCombie, Nordstrom head of ESG and sustainability and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Advisory Board member
“To move the industry forward, sustainability conversations must connect directly to business decision-making, operational execution, and long-term resilience. Having representation across the value chain and beyond — from manufacturers and recyclers to brands, retailers, and NGOs — ensures the program reflects both the complexity of the challenges and the practical pathways toward progress.” — Mark Newbold, Primark environmental sustainability programme lead and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member
“Manufacturers and material innovators are critical to translating industry ambition into real-world implementation. Ensuring these perspectives are represented alongside brands, retailers, NGOs, and service providers creates a more balanced dialogue around what is achievable, where investment is needed, and how the industry can accelerate scalable solutions together.” — Ana Rodes, head of sustainability at Recover™ and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member
“The challenges facing global supply chains cannot be solved by single actors, nor single perspectives. Bringing together voices from across the sector—NGOs, industry organizations, manufacturers, brands, retailers, and solution providers—means we are able to respond to these shared challenges collectively, and in a way that works for everyone. A strong program is one that enables those in the room to understand their role in driving meaningful progress, but also how they can support others to do so.” Monica Buchan-Ng, Textile Exchange industry activation lead and 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting Program Advisory Group member
Worldly, the sustainability and supply chain intelligence platform for consumer goods, is the event’s lead sponsor and will host a stage, sharing deep expertise on protecting against supply chain risk, compliance reporting, and the Higg Index, stewarded and governed by Cascale and powered globally by Worldly, which assesses and improves the social and environmental impact of producing and selling products.
Learn more and register for Cascale Annual Meeting 2026!
Organizations interested in elevating their presence and engaging directly with industry leaders are invited to explore sponsorship opportunities. To learn more about sponsorship packages or to express interest, please contact Cascale’s events team through this page.
Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk
ABOUT CASCALE
Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance driving systemic transformation to combat climate change and support decent work in the consumer goods industry. Formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale unites a diverse, worldwide ecosystem of over 300 retailer, brand, manufacturer, supplier, service provider, government, academic, and nonprofit members.
Our alliance catalyzes pre-competitive collaboration for maximum impact, anchored by our stewardship of the Higg Index frameworks — implemented through the Worldly technology platform — and recent acquisition of the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools. While these methodologies are central to our work, they are part of a broader strategy to mobilize collective action, challenge industry norms, and build an industry that gives back more than it takes to the planet and its people.
KeyBank is investing in strong and resilient futures for at-risk youth in Canyon County with a $20,000 grant to the Breaking Chains Academy of Development (BCAD), supporting a program designed to help young people reconnect with education and prepare for the workforce.
The funding will bolster BCAD’s Canyon County Youth Empowerment (CCYE) Project, which serves about 100 youth ages 16 to 18 each year. The program targets teens facing barriers such as housing instability, school disengagement, trauma, and involvement with the justice system, offering an alternative pathway toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Participants in the program receive individualized instruction to earn a GED or high school equivalency, along with job readiness training, mentoring, and access to essential services like meals, transportation, and mental health referrals.
KeyBank officials said the grant reflects the company’s broader commitment to strengthening communities through education and workforce development.
“KeyBank is committed to investing in organizations that strengthen our community and create lasting opportunity,” said Scott Schlange, Idaho market president for KeyBank. “BCAD is doing critical work to support young people at a pivotal time in their lives. This grant will help expand access to education, workforce development, and essential services that empower youth to achieve long-term success.”
Breaking Chains leaders say the funding will directly expand the organization’s reach and impact, helping more young people overcome obstacles that have historically limited their opportunities.
“This support from KeyBank is an investment in the potential of the young people we serve,” said Luis Granados, executive director for BCAD. “It allows us to continue providing the education, mentorship, and critical resources our students need to overcome obstacles and build independent, successful futures.”
Each year, the CCYE Project is expected to help around 60 students earn their GED or equivalent, with most participants moving on to employment, job training, or postsecondary education. Program leaders say the approach not only improves outcomes for individuals but also contributes to safer, more resilient communities by reducing recidivism and strengthening the local workforce.
Breaking Chains, founded in 2016, focuses on supporting youth who are often overlooked by traditional education systems. Through its combination of academic instruction and wraparound services, the organization aims to break cycles of poverty, crime, and instability across Canyon County.
When we think of disaster relief, we often picture the immediate aftermath: delivering critical supplies and life-saving aid to affected communities. However, at FedEx, our Delivering for Good initiative goes far beyond responding after a crisis strikes. We know that the most effective disaster response starts long before the storm hits or the ground shakes. Humanitarian organizations plan and train all year long, so they are ready for the next emergency, and we are committed to helping them get ready before disaster occurs.
A critical part of this mission is investing in the readiness of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) we support. We are proud to collaborate with organizations like Heart to Heart International by funding hands-on Emergency Medical Team (EMT) training exercises. These immersive simulations replicate real-world disaster scenarios, allowing staff and volunteers to practice setting up mobile clinics, coordinating complex logistics, and triaging patients in a controlled but realistic environment.
This proactive investment in readiness ensures that when the time comes, teams can act swiftly and decisively. The training builds critical skills, confidence, and teamwork, empowering responders to step into leadership roles and operate seamlessly in high-pressure situations. By enhancing these capabilities year-round, Heart to Heart International is equipped to deliver faster, higher-quality medical care to communities in crisis.
See Our Support in Action
We are honored to help make this vital, year-round preparation possible. Here’s a video from Heart to Heart International showcasing their EMT training in action and the impact of our ongoing collaboration.
Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.
COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR
Get Certified: Unlock the Value of SBP Certification
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
10:30 AM PT | 1:30 PM ET
Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) certification is rapidly becoming a key requirement across global energy and natural resource markets. Whether you’re new to SBP or looking to strengthen your compliance strategy, this session will walk you through everything you need to know about certification.
Join SCS Global Services on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, for an informational session with Lindsey Mauldin, Director of Sales, Natural Resources, and Trevor O’Brien, Sales Manager, Forestry.
They’ll cover:
- What SBP certification is and why it matters
- Key requirements and eligibility criteria
- Step-by-step certification process
- Common challenges and how to avoid them
- Real-world examples and best practices