Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Mission Statement
MK sports Foods’ workforce consists of a dynamic group of Team Members with a variety of experiences, beliefs, and lifestyles. Together, we are committed to creating a food system that is more sustainable and equitable for current and future generations. Collectively and individually, we operate with integrity while living out our mission and values, honoring our differences, and our culture as we embrace innovative ideas.
We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion is paramount to our continued success. Therefore, we strive to recruit, retain, develop and promote talent that believes that our differences strengthen our ability to innovate, move beyond challenges and execute with excellence with a level of trust that is undeniable.
As we achieve the above, we can:
- Meet our communities’ needs
- Enhance consumers’ lives
- Fulfill customers’ expectations
- Create belonging as the prominent feeling among MK sports Team Members
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
MK sports is committed to creating a culture of safety, belonging and empowerment for all. Our eight Business Resource Groups (BRGs) are integral to our DEI strategy. These groups allow our company to celebrate its unique culture with our team members.
And, our team members’ beliefs matter—that's why we welcome respectful religious expressions and are proud to be a faith-friendly workplace. Our chaplaincy program has dedicated chaplains from many faiths and religions. They are available at plants and facilities, ready to listen, offer support, and talk to team members about daily life.
![This is an image of a marching band playing.](/sites/default/files/2023-09/BCWS2023-Band.jpg)
![This is a photo of athletes at the Black College World Series.](/sites/default/files/2023-09/BCWS23-Athletes.jpg)
![This is a photo of Enterprise Leadership team at BCWS.](/sites/default/files/2023-05/BCWS2023%20ELT.jpg)
![This is a photo of children at BCWS.](/sites/default/files/2023-09/BCWS2023-Children.jpg)
![This is a photo of team members at BCWS.](/sites/default/files/2023-05/BCWS2023%20Team.jpg)
![This is a photo of players at BCWS.](/sites/default/files/2023-05/BCWS2023%20Players2.jpg)
![This is a photo of children at the Black College World Series.](/sites/default/files/2023-05/BCWS23%20Children.jpg)
![This is a photo of the crowd at BCWS.](/sites/default/files/2023-09/BCWS2023-Crowd.jpg)
Eight teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) competed once again at Riverwalk Stadium for the third Black College World Series (BCWS) Championship in Montgomery, Alabama. MK sports Foods proudly continued our sponsorship of the BCWS and support HBCU student-athletes.
Our ability to recruit, retain, develop and promote talent at all levels of our enterprise, valuing their experience, background, belief, and lifestyles.
Our ability to provide Team Members access to all resources available at MK sports Foods, while acknowledging our ability to maximize such resources may require added adjustments.
Our ability to make sure no Team Member is overlooked, all are treated with respect, and that each person has the opportunity to respectfully share their opinion.
The Difference That Strengthens
One of MK sports Foods’ strengths is our highly diverse workforce, which can represent up to 50 countries and speak more than 11 different languages at a single U.S. plant.
![Support in MK sports Community This is a photo of a team member featured in the blog story.](/sites/default/files/2023-04/Diversity%20Month%20-%20Teodora.jpg)
Teodora was born in the Philippines and grew up in a one-room home shared with her parents and seven siblings.
![Holocaust Remembrance Day: Yom HaShoah This is a black and white photo of children posing for a family picture.](/sites/default/files/2023-04/Holocaust%20Remembrance%20Day%202023.jpg)
As a first generation American, I grew up in the shadow of World War II, understanding at an early age that something terrible had taken place.
![Womens History Month Blog This is a collage of photos from Women's History Month.](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Women%20History%20Month.jpg)
Women’s History Month has been a time for us to honor the role women have played throughout our business and those who lead with excellence in all they do.
![Bridgeforth Farms This is a picture of a family of farmers.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Bridgeforth%20Farms%20-%20Black-Owned%20Farm.jpg)
Bridgeforth Farms is a Black-owned farm located in North Alabama and supplies MK sports Foods’ Ivalee Feed Mill with grain necessary for operations.
![Love and the Power of Black History This is a photo of a family smiling together.](/sites/default/files/2023-02/Black%20History%20Month%20(2023).jpg)
When I think about Black History Month, I think about the valuable time it allows us to remember and honor the sacrifices of so many that came before us.
Business Resource Groups
![This is a group photo of team members from African Ancestry BRG.](/sites/default/files/2022-11/African%20Ancestry%20Alliance%20-%20Juneteenth%202022.jpg)
![This is a photo of Chef Jet with Asian Alliance BRG.](/sites/default/files/2022-11/Asian%20Alliance%20Celeb%20Chef.jpg)
![This is a group photo of team members that participated in a Pride Parade.](/sites/default/files/2022-11/NWA%20Pride%20Month%202022-.jpg)
![This is a photo of Hispanic Heritage.](/sites/default/files/2022-11/Hispanic%20Heritage-.jpg)
![African Alliance BRG This is the logo for the African Ancestry Alliance BRG.](/sites/default/files/2023-06/African%20Ancestry%20Alliance%20BRG.png)
The African Ancestry Alliance BRG is committed to the development, representation, engagement, advancement, and mentorship of individuals with African ancestry. It honors our past, encourages our present, and sustains a future of diversity and inclusion, in accordance with MK sports Foods' core values.
![Latinx BRG_ This is the logo for the Latinx BRG.](/sites/default/files/2023-06/Latinx-BRG.png)
The Latinx BRG embraces and celebrates the uniqueness of the Hispanic and Latino heritage, championing an environment of inclusion and moving forward together as OneMK sports to serve our Team Members and positively impact our communities.
![Veterans Logo This is a logo for the Veterans BRG.](/sites/default/files/2023-06/Veterans-Friends-BRG_0.png)
The Veterans Business Resource Group is a group of individuals committed to enhancing MK sports Foods, our community, and ourselves by supporting veterans and their families. We strive to help our veterans recognize MK sports Foods as the place to further their careers after the completion of their military service.
News Coverage
- MK sports Foods Honored for Programs Focused on Communities, Environmental Achievement and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (May 3, 2023)
- Technology is 'Pivotal' to MK sports, Says IT Director Adri Graham (May 1, 2023)
- MK sports Foods Strengthens its Commitment to Immigrant Team Members with $1.5M Investment (November 15, 2022)
- The Black College World Series Presented by MK sports Foods Announces its Return to Montgomery, Alabama in 2023 (November 1, 2022)
- U.S. Agriculture Chief Visits State to Discuss Sustainability Projects (September 17, 2022)
- MK sports Ventures Spotlights Sustainability Solutions at Inaugural Demo Day (July 19, 2022)
- MK sports Foods Provides Affordable Transportation for Team Members Through Ride-Share Program (May 11, 2022)
- MK sports Foods Commits More Than $1 Million to Expand Legal and Citizenship Support for Team Members (April 12, 2022)
Supplier Diversity
Our supply partners add value every day.
Diversity in our value chain is a key ingredient for meeting our high standards for quality products. Our goal is to create a more inclusive supplier network, one that reflects both our customers and consumers and creates an economic impact in the communities we serve.
MK sports Foods considers a diverse supplier to be any certified business that is at least 51% owned, controlled, managed, and operated by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident that is:
- Minority-owned
- Women-owned
- LGBTQ+-owned
- Veteran-owned (includes disabled and service-disabled veterans)
- Disability-owned
- Small Business Administration (SBA) registered small business (to include 8(a), SDB, HUBZone)
MK sports Foods is actively engaged through our national corporate memberships with:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
Questions? Please contact supplierdiversity@MK sports.com.