Tag: 3BL

More than 200 fifth graders from the Columbia Heights School District stepped inside Medtronic Operational Headquarters for a hands-on Medtronic Spark experience that brought the world of health tech to life.

Throughout the morning, students explored interactive activities that challenged them to think creatively, collaborate with their peers, and discover how innovation can help solve real health challenges. The experience offered an early look at how technology, engineering, and problem-solving come together to improve lives.

Held in May 2026, the event was made possible with the support of over 200 Medtronic employee volunteers who helped guide students through the activities and shared their passion for innovation in healthcare. 

Learn more at MedtronicSpark.com.

Sustainability policy in the European Union continues to evolve across reporting, product requirements, circularity, human rights, and supply chain due diligence. For companies in the consumer goods industry, these developments can influence internal planning, data needs, supplier engagement, and cross-functional coordination. To help members make sense of the evolving policy landscape, Cascale hosted the EU Policy Briefing for Cascale Members earlier this week.

Key Takeaways

• EU sustainability policy continues to evolve across reporting, product sustainability, circularity, human rights, and due diligence.
• Companies may need to monitor how different policy areas intersect, rather than treating each regulation or directive in isolation.
• Stronger data, internal coordination, and value chain visibility can help organizations prepare as policy timelines and requirements continue to develop.
• Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members gained access to expert interpretation, practical considerations, and live Q&A through a member-only EU policy briefing.
• The recording, slides, and continued discussion are available to Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members on Cascale Connect.

The member-only session brought together experts from Cascale, the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP), and Policy Hub to discuss major EU policy developments, including corporate sustainability reporting, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), the EU Forced Labour Regulation, Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Circular Economy Act, the Waste Framework Directive, national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) developments, and the Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive.

Speakers – including Gabriele Ballero, manager of policy and public affairs at Cascale – focused on the strategic implications of these developments. The discussion also gave members an opportunity to ask questions directly of policy and subject-matter experts and consider what emerging requirements may mean for their organizations and value chains.

A central theme from the briefing was clear: While individual policy files and timelines may continue to shift, the need for readiness remains. Companies can benefit from strengthening the systems and relationships that support preparation across multiple policy areas, including reliable data, governance, traceability, supplier engagement, and cross-functional coordination.

Through policy briefings, expert-led discussions, and member-exclusive spaces such as Cascale Connect, Cascale helps members move from monitoring policy change to preparing for its operational implications. This work supports greater confidence navigating an increasingly complex policy landscape and helps members engage in the conversations shaping sustainability rules.

Cascale Corporate and Affiliate Members can watch the recording, access the slides, and continue the conversation in the Policy & Public Affairs Knowledge Hub on Cascale Connect.

The webinar was intended to provide a strategic overview of policy developments and does not constitute legal or compliance advice.

Members: Watch the Recording on Cascale Connect

Not a Member? Explore Membership

Published Data Shows that the Active Ingredient, Lotilaner, in Credelio Quattro:

• Kills existing black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) infestations faster² than leading competitors, within just 8 hours of treatment.ⁱ
• Kills the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) within 12 hours of infestation; achieving the fastest³ initial speed of tick kill compared to the competition.ⁱⁱ
• Achieves a rapid speed of kill⁴ on Day 0 and on Day 28, with no statistically significant drop-off in performance at the end of the dosing period.^i,ii
• Outlasts competitors whose speed of kill^2,4 performance declined at the end of the month. ^i,ii

INDIANAPOLIS, July 22, 2026 /3BL/ – When it comes to killing ticks, veterinarians and pet owners want it done fast. New data published in Parasites & Vectors, a leading peer-reviewed publication, demonstrates that Elanco Animal Health’s (NYSE: ELAN) Credelio Quattro™ (lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel chewable tablets) kills ticks¹ faster² than leading competitors Simparica Trio^® (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets) and NexGard^® Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel chewable tablets).ⁱ

Newly Published Data Found Credelio Quattro:

• Faster² Tick¹ Speed of Kill: Credelio Quattro is the only product proven to significantly reduce black-legged ticks within 8 hours.ⁱ Lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio Quattro also has the fastest initial tick speed of kill against the lone star tick – in just 12 hours – and sustains the advantage throughout the dosing interval.ⁱⁱ
• Outperforms the Competition: Outperforms Simparica Trio^® (12 hours) and NexGard^® Plus (24 hours) at the end of the dosing period (Day 28).ⁱ
• Consistency Over Competitors: Achieves 8-hour speed of kill¹ on Day 0 and on Day 28 with no performance drop-off. Rapid kill is critical for preventing Lyme disease transmission, which typically occurs 24-48 hours after attachment.ⁱ

“Speed of kill is a critical factor for veterinarians and pet owners when choosing parasite coverage because the longer a tick is attached, the more likely it is to transmit dangerous diseases, like Lyme disease, to pets,” said Dr. Casey Locklear, veterinarian and leading parasiticides expert at Elanco. “These results reinforce that lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio Quattro, not only starts working fast but maintains its speed of kill⁴ against multiple species of ticks⁵, providing veterinarians and pet owners with the confidence that their dogs are protected from the very start of the month to the very end.”

The black-legged tick is the primary vector for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. The study, which evaluated the speed of kill against Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick), found that Credelio Quattro was the only product tested to achieve significant initial tick reduction² within just 8 hours of infestation. Notably, this rapid speed of kill¹ was maintained from the beginning of the month through Day 28, providing consistent protection for the entire dosing interval.ⁱ

“Ticks are on the move. They are no longer limited to the places or seasons where we have historically expected to find them,” said Dr. Kathryn Reif, Bailey-Goodwin Endowed Associate Professor in Parasitology at Auburn University. “As their geographic range expands, so does the risk of tick bites and exposure to the pathogens they carry. Because tick-borne diseases can threaten the health of people, pets, and livestock, raising public awareness is more important than ever as tick populations grow and spread into new regions.”

 

The findings are based on evaluation time points at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment and reinfestation. The data demonstrates that Credelio Quattro outperforms Simparica Trio and NexGard Plus in rapid tick¹ reduction, particularly in the critical first 8 to 12 hours.ⁱ

Credelio Quattro also has a U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved claim for prevention of Lyme disease in dogs as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.

Does Credelio Quattro Kill the Lone Star Tick?

Credelio Quattro is approved to protect dogs from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), and its active ingredient, lotilaner, also has the fastest³ initial speed of tick kill against the lone star tick – in just 12 hours – and sustains that advantage throughout the dosing interval.ⁱⁱ This aggressive and expanding tick species – established across the South, Midwest and Northeast, and continuing to spread – is one of the hardest to kill and is best known for its association with alpha-gal syndrome, or the red meat allergy in humans. It can also transmit dangerous disease-causing pathogens to dogs.ⁱ A 2024 head-to-head study published in Parasites & Vectors compared lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio (lotilaner) and Credelio Quattro with sarolaner in Simparica Trio and afoxolaner in NexGard^®, and found that lotilaner kills the lone star tick faster⁴ than sarolaner in Simparica Trio and afoxolaner in NexGard, protecting dogs against this pathogen-carrying tick.

“With a heavier tick season and emergency room visits from tick bites on the riseⁱ, pet owners should remain vigilant and keep their pets on year-round parasite coverage,” Dr. Locklear notes. “We continue to look for opportunities to make parasite protection stronger and evolve research around best-in-class medicines.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Ticks and Credelio Quattro:

How fast does Credelio Quattro kill ticks? 

Studies show that lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio Quattro kills ticks⁵ faster⁶ than the competition.^i,ii A 2026 study published in Parasites & Vectors shows that Credelio Quattro achieved significant reduction² of black-legged ticks within 8 hours of infestation.ⁱ A 2024 study shows that lotilaner, the active ingredient in Credelio and Credelio Quattro also has the fastest³ initial speed of tick kill against the lone star tick – in just 12 hours – and sustains that advantage throughout the dosing interval.ⁱⁱ

Why is it important to kill ticks quickly?

The risk of disease transmission increases the longer a tick remains attached, making rapid speed of kill a critical factor in preventing the transmission of disease. A 2026 study shows that Credelio Quattro was the only product tested that significantly reduced² black-legged ticks within 8 hours.ⁱ

Does Credelio Quattro lose effectiveness to kill ticks¹ quickly at the end of the month? 

No. The data shows that Credelio Quattro maintains its 8-hour speed of kill² on Day 28, whereas competitors showed a decline in performance.ⁱ

Are black-legged ticks linked to the red meat allergy in humans?

In the United States, alpha-gal syndrome, or red meat allergy, is usually associated with bites from the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum); however, two Emerging Infectious Diseases studies link bites from black-legged ticks (deer ticks) and western black-legged ticks to potentially life-threatening alpha-gal syndrome.ⁱⁱ Additional work will be needed to determine a possible link, according to the researchers, but this continues to put emphasis on the need for tick bite protection for humans.

To learn more about Credelio Quattro visit CredelioQuattroVet.com.

PM-US-26-1188

1. Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick)
2. Based on the time to statistical significance vs. control in a head-to-head study on Day 0 post-treatment and Day 28 for reinfestations comparing Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) against Ixodes scapularis.
3. Based on the time to statistical significance vs. control in a head-to-head study comparing Credelio (lotilaner)—not Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard (afoxolaner).
4. Based on the time to statistical significance vs control in two separate head-to-head studies. The first study compared Credelio (lotilaner)—not Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard (afoxolaner) against Amblyomma americanum. The second study compared Credelio Quattro, which contains lotilaner as well as moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel—to the active ingredients in Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) and NexGard Plus (afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel) against I. scapularis.
5. Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) and Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick)

NexGard and NexGard Plus are registered trademarks of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. Simparica Trio is a registered trademark of Zoetis Services LLC.

Credelio Quattro, Credelio, Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Other company and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. © 2026 Elanco or its affiliates

ABOUT ELANCO

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders and society as a whole. With 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to breaking boundaries and going beyond to help our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. Learn more at www.elanco.com.

Indications for Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1

Credelio Quattro is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease and the treatment and control of roundworm, hookworm, and tapeworm infections. Credelio Quattro kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and the treatment and control of tick infestations for 1 month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater. Credelio Quattro is indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.

Credelio Quattro-CA1 is conditionally approved for the treatment of infestations caused by New World screwworm (NWS) larvae in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older and weighing 3.3 pounds or greater.

Important Safety Information for Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1

Lotilaner, an ingredient in Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1, belongs to the isoxazoline class and has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions like tremors, incoordination, and seizures even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. Dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infections before Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1 administration as it is not effective against adult heartworms. The safe use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in clinical trials were vomiting and diarrhea.

Credelio Quattro-CA1 is conditionally approved by the FDA pending a full demonstration of effectiveness under application number 141-619. If you suspect that your dog is infested with NWS larvae, seek veterinary care immediately for treatment to include removal of larvae and appropriate wound care.

For complete safety information, please see the Credelio Quattro/Credelio Quattro-CA1 product label or ask your veterinarian.

Indications for Credelio
Credelio kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and treatment and control of tick infestations (lone star tick, American dog tick, black-legged tick, brown dog tick, and longhorned tick) for one month in dogs and puppies 8 weeks and older and 4.4 pounds or greater. Credelio is indicated for the prevention of Lyme disease infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.

Important Safety Information for Credelio
Lotilaner is a member of the isoxazoline class of drugs. This class has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions including tremors, incoordination, and seizures. Seizures have been reported in dogs receiving this class of drugs, even in dogs without a history of seizures. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or neurologic disorders. The safe use of Credelio in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, elevated blood urea nitrogen, increased urination, and diarrhea. For complete safety information, please see Credelio product label or ask your veterinarian.

 

^{i Reif, K.E., Kollasch, T.M., Locklear, C.L. et al. Comparative speed of kill of induced Ixodes scapularis infestations following treatment of dogs with endectocides containing either sarolaner (Simparica Trio™), afoxolaner (NexGard® PLUS), or lotilaner (Credelio Quattro™). Parasites Vectors (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-026-07559-y}

^{ii Reif KE, Kollasch TM, Neilson JC, Herrin BH, Ryan WG, Bell MC, Beltz MS, Dryden MW, Jesudoss Chelladurai JRJ, Miller KR, Sutherland CJ. Comparative speed of kill provided by lotilaner (Credelio™), sarolaner (Simparica Trio™), and afoxolaner (NexGard™) to control Amblyomma americanum infestations on dogs. Parasite Vectors. 2024 Jul 20;17(1):313.}

^{iii Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Where Ticks Live. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 8, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/about/where-ticks-live.html} 

^{iv CDC Data Show Weekly ER Visits for Tick Bites Higher Than Usual.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Apr. 2026,}

^{v Van Beusekom, Mary. “Research Ties Bites from 2 More Types of Ticks to Red Meat Allergy.” CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy), 4 Apr. 2025}

Media Contact

Season Solorio
+1.765.316.0233
Contact

Investor Contact

Tiffany Kanaga
+1.765.740.0314
Contact

Do you have unused cellphones, a dusty laptop, or e-reader tucked away in your attic and drawers? According to recent data, you aren’t alone. In 2022 alone, the world generated a record 62 million tonnes of electronic waste – a number on track to surge by another 32% to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030.¹

To help address e-waste, FedEx Cares held a collection event at our world headquarters in Memphis, offering team members and retirees in the community a convenient and secure way to responsibly dispose of their old electronics. Even with the challenging heat and humidity of Memphis, over twenty dedicated FedEx Cares volunteers helped make the drop-off seamless for the 144 cars that arrived on-site. 

Collectively, FedEx Cares helped divert 8,394 pounds of materials from landfill. While team members were excited to make an impact on e-waste, the fact remains that only 22.3% of electronic waste was formally recycled in 2022¹, leaving the rest thrown into municipal trash, incinerated, or sitting dormant in residents’ homes.

 

E-waste recycling is no longer just about keeping trash out of landfills – it’s a powerful engine for capturing valuable critical minerals and fueling local, circular businesses. Through our collaboration with Pyxera Global and the Circular Supply Chain Coalition (CSCC), FedEx is turning this vision into reality. We are analyzing the crucial role logistics plays in connecting the dots, helping to build smarter supply chains for everyone.

The success of the Memphis collection event is a powerful reminder that solving the global e-waste challenge starts right at home, one drawer at a time. By donating and recycling dormant electronics, each of us can be a part of a larger, global effort to reduce waste and to keep valuable resources moving through supply chains.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

AEG employees came together on July 19 to participate in the 2026 Long Beach Legacy Triathlon, raising more than $18,000 in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). The funds will help advance critical pediatric cancer research, treatment, and care programs, providing hope and support to children and families facing some of life’s most difficult challenges. 

More than 35 employees from across AEG and its businesses took part in this year’s event, representing AXS, Ontario Reign, Crypto.com Arena, Peacock Theater, LA Kings, LA Galaxy, AEG Presents, Dignity Health Sports Park, and the company’s corporate offices. Together, team members completed the triathlon’s swim, bike, and run course alongside hundreds of athletes from across Southern California. 

Through their collective fundraising efforts, the AEG Tri Team raised $18,255, contributing vital resources that will support CHLA’s world-class patient care, groundbreaking research, and family-centered services. The achievement reflects AEG’s longstanding commitment to giving back and creating positive impact in the communities where its employees live and work. 

For more than a decade, the AEG Tri Team has combined fitness, teamwork, and philanthropy to make a meaningful difference. Over the past 12 years, employees have raised more than $200,000 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, demonstrating the power of collective action and shared purpose. 

The annual triathlon also serves as an opportunity for employees from across the organization to connect, support one another, and champion a cause that extends far beyond race day. Every swim stroke, mile cycled, and step taken represented AEG’s commitment to community engagement, employee wellness, and helping improve the lives of children and families in need. 

As AEG continues to invest in the communities it serves around the world, initiatives like the AEG Tri Team exemplify how employees can come together to create lasting and meaningful impact. 

 

In commemoration of Juneteenth, this year’s community initiative delivered brand-new basketball courts and a new turf practice field to support local youth.

Whirlpool Corporation recently celebrated its fifth annual “Day of Impact,” an initiative dedicated to fostering resilient, thriving and enduring neighborhoods in the company’s headquarters community of Benton Harbor, Michigan. In collaboration with Benton Harbor Area Schools and to commemorate Juneteenth, 40 volunteers, consisting of Whirlpool Corp. employees, school officials and city leaders, revitalized the outdoor basketball courts located behind Benton Harbor High School (BHHS).

For generations, basketball has been an important through line in Benton Harbor—from the community courts to the school’s basketball program—establishing BHHS as a powerhouse in Michigan high school sports. While the school’s indoor gymnasium holds nearly 70 years of history, the outdoor courts function as the public extension of that legacy, remaining a valued space for youth development, mentorship, and community gathering.

“When our employees and community partners join forces to champion the needs of local youth, we turn vision into lasting impact.”

“By rolling up our sleeves, we’re building on an incredible legacy,” said Traci Robinson, managing director of the Whirlpool Foundation. “When our employees and community partners join forces to champion the needs of local youth, we turn vision into lasting impact.”

The gameplan for this year’s “Day of Impact” extended beyond basketball with volunteers also helping to install a new turf practice field, providing BHHS athletes with the same resources as neighboring schools.

Once completed, the outdoor courts and turf field will be fully integrated into the school’s physical education curriculum and athletic programs. 

Highlights from the 2026 “Day of Impact” project include:

• Site Reclamation & Improvement: Removal of existing asphalt, fresh landscaping and custom signage
• Court Installation: Two brand-new basketball courts with professional-grade painting
• Premium Equipment: Four professional-grade posts and backboards, plus four sets of 4-row bleachers.
• Enhanced Accessibility: A newly paved walkway connecting facilities
• New Playing Field: The addition of a state-of-the-art turf practice field

Whirlpool Corporation’s “Day of Impact” initiative began in 2021, with revitalizations of Union Park completed in 2022, June Woods Park in 2023, Charles Yarbrough Park in 2024 and Morton Park in 2025.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas -41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

View original content here.

CONSTANȚA, Romania, July 22, 2026 /3BL/ – DP World and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have signed a loan agreement of up to €25 million to support the electrification of operations at DP World’s Constanța South Container Terminal. The financing is the terminal’s first dedicated green loan and forms part of a €100 million investment programme that will reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 6,000 tonnes per year.

The investment marks a significant step in DP World’s decarbonisation strategy in Romania and supports the transition to lower-emission port operations. By replacing ageing diesel-powered equipment with electric alternatives and introducing shore power for vessels at berth, the project will improve air quality, reduce noise and increase operational reliability for customers.

The electrification programme combines financing from the EBRD with grants from the European Union and the Romanian government. Alongside the EBRD loan, the project is being delivered with a €19.7 million grant under the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), part of the Connecting Europe Facility, with the EBRD acting as the EU’s implementing partner. It has also received €7.5 million in funding under Romania’s Transport Programme 2021–2027.

The investment comprises two components. The first, representing an investment of €53.8 million, will establish the core electrification infrastructure, including new electrical networks, transformer and distribution facilities, as well as shore power systems enabling vessels to connect to the port grid while at berth. It will also include a new connection to the main port power station and grid, the rehabilitation of access roads and the introduction of 10 electric terminal tractors and chargers.

The second component, representing an investment of €46.2 million, will cover equipment including electric, remote-operated rubber-tyred gantry cranes, two electric mobile harbour cranes and additional electric terminal tractors.

Svitlana Balaban, CEO, DP World Constanța, said: “In today’s trading environment, the most competitive ports are the most sustainable ports. This investment reflects that fact by aligning the growth of the Constanța South Container Terminal with DP World’s global commitment to reducing emissions. By electrifying our operations, we are not just helping customers build more resilient and sustainable supply chains, we are also strengthening Constanța’s position as the Black Sea’s leading green container hub.”

Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director for Romania, said: “This is a landmark investment in Romania, which will not only strengthen the Port of Constanța’s role as a strategic logistics hub on the Black Sea, but also deliver significant energy-efficiency gains for the country’s logistics sector. We are delighted to partner with DP World on this first transaction to support the modernisation of the Port of Constanța and demonstrate that competitiveness and decarbonisation can go hand in hand. We look forward to more future cooperation.”

The electrification of the Constanța South Container Terminal is the latest in a long series of investments DP World has made to expand and modernise its operations in Constanța. In 2024, it opened a new project cargo terminal and a roll-on/roll-off (RO-RO) terminal following a €65 million investment. In December 2025, the company also completed a 119,000 m² multimodal platform. These investments have further strengthened the terminal’s role as a strategic gateway between Central Europe, the Black Sea region, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.

— ENDS —

For more insights into how DP World is reshaping global trade, visit our website: www.dpworld.com

For media enquiries, please contact:

Adal Mirza
Group Vice President
Adal.mirza@dpworld.com
+971 50 628 7856

Hakam Kherallah
Group Senior Manager
Hakam.Kherallah@dpworld.com
+971 50 552 2610

Follow DP World on:

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DP_World
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dp-world

About DP World

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 125,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

DP World’s European network spans over 250 locations in more than 30 countries, including deep sea ports, inland terminals, rail hubs and warehousing facilities. Through sustained investment in infrastructure, technology and people, we support more than 26,000 jobs and enable smarter, faster and more resilient trade across the continent.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW

AUSTIN, Texas, July 21, 2026 /3BL/ – Whole Foods Market Foundation is excited to announce over $2.2 million in funding across three transformative projects impacting more than 570,000 people in Ghana and the United States. Throughout the year, the Foundation provides funding to help its partners improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. Each project is community-led and designed to create lasting impact in communities worldwide.

Together, this quarter’s grants reach more than 573,000 people: 370,000+ students connected to garden-based learning, 202,000 students gaining access to scratch-cooked school meals, and 1,200 smallholder farmers getting capital and market access for the very first time. The three investments look different on the surface, but they’re grounded in the same belief that real, lasting change in how communities grow, access, and prepare healthy food starts with the people and institutions doing the daily work. Learn more about each project below:

Chef Ann Foundation | $1,500,000

Transforming 110 Schools to Scratch-Cooked Meals for 202,000 Students

Most school cafeterias in the U.S. aren’t serving scratch-cooked meals because no one cares. They’re doing it because the system wasn’t built for anything else. Processed food, bought in bulk and reheated, became the default because of tight budgets, limited staff, and a lack of culinary training and equipment. The kids in those cafeterias spend their school years eating meals that fall short in nutrition.

Chef Ann Foundation is a long-time Foundation partner doing the hard work of changing that default, one school district at a time. Building on the Foundation’s January 2026 investments in their Salad Bars to Schools program and Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship, this $1.5 million, three-year grant goes deeper into two programs that have already shown they can drive real, lasting change.

Get Schools Cooking works with K–12 school districts from the inside out — providing hands-on training, comprehensive assessments, and practical support to make the shift from heat-and-serve to scratch-cooked meals. More than just a training program, it tackles procurement, equipment, staffing, and menus together.

The Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship is a 13-month program for school food professionals who want to lead change in their own districts. Fellows build skills in leadership, advocacy, and culinary practice. They come out on the other side ready to transform their programs from the inside, and many go on to mentor and inspire peers across the country.

Together, these two programs will reach over 202,000 students across 110 schools in 5 districts, with 16 new Fellowship participants joining a growing national network of school food leaders, resulting in more kids sitting down to a real, scratch-cooked meal.

Life Lab | $123,280

Building the Infrastructure That Connects 370,000+ Students to Garden-Based Learning

School garden programs work best when the people running them aren’t doing it alone. Yet across the country, that’s exactly what’s happening. Garden educators work in silos, without peer connections, shared knowledge, or ongoing support that keep programs thriving. When these educators don’t have a community to learn from, even the best-resourced gardens stall out. Most importantly, the bigger opportunity of helping kids build real relationships with fresh food and healthy eating never reaches its full potential.

Life Lab, based in Santa Cruz, California, has been a Foundation partner and a leader in garden-based learning for over a decade. This $123,280 grant supports the 2026 School Garden Support Organization (SGSO) Leadership Institute, a week-long, hands-on professional development program that brings together 40 school garden professionals from 20 organizations across the country. Over the course of the week, participants visit model programs, learn from each other, and build the kind of relationships that keep going long after the program wraps through quarterly check-ins that keep the cohort connected and accountable.

The 40 people trained through this year’s Institute collectively support 80–100+ school gardens, reaching an estimated 370,000+ students every year. Beyond that, institute graduates bring what they’ve learned back to the broader SGSO Network, a community of 4,600 people representing over 2,000 organizations nationwide. That ripple effect is transformative. This grant helps build the connective tissue that lets garden-based learning, and the fresh, healthy food experiences it creates for kids, grow at scale.

True Farmer | $600,000

Growing Smallholder Income 16x in Ghana — From $0.30/Day to $5.00/Day

For smallholder farmers in rural Ghana, the path to a living income isn’t blocked by a lack of effort or ability, rather by a lack of access. Without something to put up as collateral, farmers can’t get the loans they need to grow higher-value crops. And without established buyers for their harvests, even a great growing season doesn’t translate into reliable income. The result: families, most of them headed by women, remain stuck at $0.30 a day, with no clear way forward.

True Farmer, a non-profit based in New Longoro, Ghana, was built to change that. Their RISE model — Regenerative Agroforestry, Inclusive Financing, Savings Groups, and Entrepreneurship — takes on every piece of the problem at once: giving farmers the inputs, training, financial tools, and direct market connections they need to build something sustainable.

This three-year, $600,000 grant will provide collateral-free input loans to 1,200 entry-level and landless smallholder farmers to grow herbs and spices. True Farmer will buy their harvests directly and sell to agro-processing companies, cutting out the market access gap that keeps farmers stuck in survival mode. The expected outcome says it all: daily income projected to grow from $0.30 to around $5.00. That 16x increase strengthens families, communities, and the regional food system around them.

This investment reflects the Foundation’s deep belief that financial empowerment and resilient food systems go hand in hand. When farmers have real access to capital and reliable markets, the benefits flow outward to households, neighbors, and the broader community.

Since 2005, Whole Foods Market Foundation has invested over $220 million, supporting over 18,700 partner organizations and schools in 83 countries around the world.

For more information, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org/funding-announcements. 

####

ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET FOUNDATION

Whole Foods Market Foundation is on a mission to nourish people by advancing food security, improving nutrition and strengthening resilient food systems. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is based in Austin, Texas. For more information on the Foundation’s work, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Sandra Mariscal, Director of Philanthropy
Sandra.Mariscal@wholefoods.com

This month, Cascale and Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) convened brands in Denver ahead of American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) Traceability & Sustainability Conference.

The organizations brought together members and industry stakeholders at REI’s community space, opening with a joint brands workshop. The week marked Cascale CEO Ying McGuire’s first major in-person engagement with members since stepping into the role, underscoring the organization’s continued focus on deepening relationships across the value chain.

The joint event saw 46 brand, retailer, and industry representatives attend the workshop on SLCP’s Converged Assessment Framework and the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (CAF/FSLM) and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD). Brand representatives from Cascale’s membership sparked strong peer discussion, giving attendees a practical look at how peer companies are putting the tools to work and reinforcing the value of the Cascale-SLCP integration.

The following two days, Cascale joined AAFA’s Traceability & Sustainability Conference, which drew 330 attendees representing brands, manufacturers, service providers, and industry stakeholders. Cascale’s manager of public affairs Gabriele Ballero joined Policy Hub director Marina Prados Espínola for a panel on the current state of EU due diligence. Ballero outlined Cascale’s approach to supporting members as regulation evolves, emphasizing that while legislation sets expectations, industry collaboration, common methodologies, and tools such as the Higg Index and Better Buying help companies operationalize due diligence consistently and at scale.

Across both events, Cascale and SLCP representatives held meetings identifying strategic touchpoints with members, prospects, and partners. The Denver visit also included networking events hosted by Retraced, Bureau Veritas/Oritain, AAFA, and the Human Rights Advocacy Program (HAP), further strengthening Cascale’s relationships across its wider ecosystem.

The week highlighted the value of continued collaboration across the industry and reinforced the importance of bringing stakeholders together to advance shared approaches to sustainability and social impact.

 

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and videos for World Cleft Awareness Day 2026.

Smile Train is deeply moved by the incredible stories and messages shared by the global cleft community. Every contribution helped shine a light on the realities of living with a cleft and highlighted the experiences, challenges, and achievements that are often unseen. By opening up and sharing your journey, you helped raise awareness and remind others that they are not alone.

Each story was unique. Some reflected on overcoming challenges, while others celebrated milestones, shared words of encouragement, or spoke about the importance of support from family, friends, and healthcare teams. Together, these stories showed the many different ways a cleft can shape a person’s life and why greater awareness and acceptance matter.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch them yet, we encourage you to take a few moments to hear directly from the community. Every video and photo offers a personal perspective, and together they paint a powerful picture of resilience. They also remind us that behind every statistic is a person with their own experiences and aspirations.

Thank you for being part of World Cleft Awareness Day 2026. Whether you shared your own story, helped amplify someone else’s voice, or followed along and learned something new, you played a part in making this year’s campaign meaningful. Together, we’re helping build a world where everyone affected by cleft feels seen, understood, and supported.