Rewind to 1924, it was the Roaring Twenties, the Great War was over, and it was a time of great hope and prosperity. It was also the beginning of Australia’s love affair with breakfast cereal, with the launch of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes on Australian soil.
Fast forward to the present, and as Kellogg’s prepares to mark a century of cereal production in Botany, it reflects on its rich history intertwined with Australian agriculture.
Behind the crunchy goodness of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes lies a story of collaboration with Queensland corn growers, particularly those from the Darling Downs region. For decades, these farmers have proudly supplied the corn used to make the iconic breakfast cereal.
The historic Defiance maize products mill on Churchill Road in Warwick stands as a testament to this enduring partnership. For over a century, it has been a landmark in the town, and since the early 1990s, it has played a crucial role in Kellogg’s story by processing maize into flaking grits sourced from local growers.
Brett Thompson, CEO of Corson, a major supplier of corn grits to Kellogg’s, underscores the significance of local maize growers in this journey.
“We’re proud to be part of this incredible story and the fact that local maize growers in the district have been such an instrumental part of it over the years,” Mr Thompson said.
“On-going investment at the Warwick site means we can look forward to a bright future continuing to do so and we congratulate Kellogg’s and all the suppliers of grains who have been part of this journey to date.”
Kellogg’s has cracked open its archives to share highlights from the last century:
– Cornelius, the Corn Flakes rooster, first appeared on boxes in 1960.
– ‘Just like a chocolate milkshake . . . only crunchy!’ first aired on national television in 1962 for Coco Pops.
– The year 1980 saw the launch of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman series. This partnership continues 43 years on, creating a lasting connection within the surf sporting community.
– In 2006 Kellogg pioneered the first front-pack Percentage Daily Intake Counters, empowering informed food choices.
– Pringles, an icon of the snacking world, joined the Kellogg Company in 2012.
– Kellogg’s has been on a mission to make a difference to Aussie communities since the first facility was set up in Chippendale in 1924. It continues to support Australian communities, donating over 60 million serves of cereal and snacks over the past 10 years as part of the Better Days Initiative.
Anthony Holme, Managing Director at Kellanova ANZ, reflects on Kellogg’s century-long journey, emphasizing the company’s commitment to sourcing locally.
“Over 87 percent of the ingredients used in the Botany facility, including corn, wheat, rice, oats, sugar, and salt, are sourced from Australian farmers,” Mr Holme said.
Holme underscores Kellogg’s ongoing support for Australian farmers, including its partnership with the Cool Soil Initiative, aimed at reducing farm greenhouse gas emissions and future-proofing crops against climate change.
As Kellogg’s celebrates a century of nourishing Aussies, it remains dedicated to being part of every table, from breakfast to snacks and special moments in between. With a legacy built on collaboration and community support, Kellogg’s looks forward to continuing its journey with Australian families for generations to come.
