JUST Capital Names McCormick & Company One of America’s Most JUST Companies

live, work and source, and the planet we all share As an industry leader, we care about the issues impacting our stakeholders and we ’ re actively working to help improve the world around us ” first year in the JUST 100 coming in 57th overall out of 951 companies

“McCormick is honored to be recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies,” said Lawrence E Kurzius, chairman and CEO “This ranking demonstrates our continued commitment to doing what’s right for people, communities where we

The JUST Capital rankings evaluate the 1,000 largest public U S companies across 20 issues identified through comprehensive, ongoing public opinion research on Americans’ attitudes toward responsible corporate behavior Each company is ranked based on its work to serve its employees, customers, communities, the en-

Vironment And Shareholders

McCormick’s progress toward its ambitious goals, which include emissions reduction targets to achieve 1 5oC as part of its long-term commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050 and other goals to champion equality, develop their employees and increase the resilience of over 35,000 smallholder farmers, is just a small part of the company ’ s work factored into this year ’ s JUST ranking McCormick was also recently named to Fortune’s 2022 Change the World list

With over $6 billion in annual sales across 170 countries and territories, McCormick manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry including e-commerce channels, grocery, food manufacturers and foodser vice businesses The most popular brands with trademark registrations include McCormick, French’s, Frank’s RedHot, Stubb’s, OLD BAY, Lawr y ’ s, Zatarain’s, Ducros, Vahiné, Cholula, Schwartz, Kamis, DaQiao, Club House, Aeroplane and Gourmet Garden GN

Spearheading the BBQ revolution from her hometown of Chicago as a leading pitmaster, Chef Dominque Leach has launched her own line of Wagyu Dogs nationwide, along with her wife, Tanisha Griffin, and Vander Farms

Leach owns South Side’s Lexington Betty Smokehouse (named “The Best BBQ in Chicago” by Good Morning America) Vander Farmers is a family-owned company and the leading source of F1 American Wagyu in the Midwest

The premium gourmet product received the USDA stamp of approval to distribute in a retail setting and is available online for nationwide shipping through Lexington Betty’s online store

The release marks the first of multiple BBQ products to be announced for national distribution in 2023 by Leach and Vander Farmers The LBS x Vander Farmers team pledged a percentage of sales of all Wagyu Dogs sold for the first month of the launch to Chicago’s 501C3 charity, Coffee, Hip Hop & Mental Health founded by Christopher LeMark, to help further mental health advocacy work across the city “Mental health in the chef and restaurant industr y is an important topic to me personally, knowing how hard it has been in my journey and what I’ve seen others endure as well, particularly in marginalized communities, which is why I’m supporting CHHAMH with this launch,” Leach said

The Lexington Betty Smokehouse x Vander Famers Wagyu Dog, which retails for $18 99 per pack of eight, completely breaks the mold on the traditional hot dog Made from premium F1 Wagyu beef (50 percent Japanese black cattle, 50 percent HolsteinFriesian dairy cow), the uncured and uncased dog has a heartier density and flavor without losing the beautiful snap you come to expect from a gourmet sausage

With a slightly salty-smokey and sweeter flavor profile than a normal hotdog due to the inherent and delectable marbleization of Wagyu, these dogs complement Leach’s famous BBQ sauce, can be dressed up with Tex-Mex ingredients like pico de gallo and jalapeños, or make for a show-stopping twist on the classic Chicago dog Leach, a classically trained chef turned nationally recognized pitmaster who was catapulted into the national spotlight on The Food Network’s “Chopped: Playing with Fire” season in 2021 as a judge/contestant, on Food Network Canada’s “Fire Masters,” has a personal mission to make the BBQ world more inclusive and hopes to inspire others like her to take on the field

“I want to reclaim a space in the BBQ cooking world,” Leach said “This line is exposing my craft in a whole new way, plus I get to honor my hometown of Chicago –the true home of the dog I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with the wonderful Vander family again and excited to introduce the Wagyu Dog to everyone near and far ”

Vander Farmers, located in Sturgis, Mich , prides itself on producing premium meats through humanely raised cattle, radical transparency and sustainable practices Look for more announcements from Leach and Vander Farmers soon GN