Strengthening sustainable agriculture and empowering farming communities in Kilinochchi
We are pleased to share a significant milestone in the Aloe Vera cultivation initiative led by our Group subsidiary Cargills Food and Beverage Limited, as participating farmers delivered their first harvest to the KIST fruit processing facility in Kilinochchi.
Introduced through a contract farming model, this initiative is designed to promote sustainable agricultural practices while creating long-term livelihood opportunities for farming communities in the region. Implemented with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the programme focuses on empowering 100 female farmers by providing essential cultivation equipment, alongside technical guidance and agricultural extension support from the company.
To further strengthen access to finance, farmers are supported through financial assistance facilitated by Cargills Bank, with corporate guarantees from Cargills Food and Beverage Limited enabling them to obtain financing without traditional collateral requirements.
Through this initiative, KIST purchases harvested Aloe Vera at a pre-agreed price, ensuring a clear commercial pathway for farmers. With continuous supervision and technical support from the company, the average yield per Aloe Vera leaf has increased from approximately 350 grams to 500 grams, demonstrating improved cultivation efficiency and farming practices. #Cargills #KIST #SustainableAgriculture #RuralDevelopment #WomenEmpowerment
KIST’s journey in supporting the growth of Kilinochchi’s agricultural sector and empowering local farming communities was recently featured in The Island, written by Sanath Nanayakkare.
Read the full article: https://t.co/wtKkyK8q7d
Cargills proudly illuminated the Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapaya 2026 for the third consecutive year organized by the All-Ceylon Buddhist Congress, coming together as one Group to honour the spirit of Vesak
Over three days, the event drew thousands of visitors with hundreds of beautifully crafted lanterns lighting up the Vesak Kalapaya, including displays by the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and the Sri Lanka Police alongside intricately designed lanterns by Cargills team members. Adding to the festive atmosphere, our team members also participated in Bakthi Gee singing, contributing to the cultural and spiritual celebrations of the occasion.
The Vesak Kalapaya also featured a variety of food and beverage dansals, with KIST fruit juices, Magic ice cream and delightful treats from Goldi, which once again attracted a large number of visitors as in previous years. Cargills Bank was also present, engaging with the community during the celebrations.
#Cargills #Vesak2026 #BauddhalokaVesakKalapaya
On this sacred Vesak, we reflect on the timeless teachings of the Buddha which guide us toward compassion, mindfulness and peace.
May these teachings inspire us to shape our thoughts, words and actions with kindness and understanding.
Wishing you a serene and blessed Vesak.
As part of its continued commitment to environmental sustainability, Cargills Food and Beverage Ltd through its brands KIST and KNUCKLES, has initiated a new plastic waste management project on Sri Lanka’s Southern Expressway.
Four plastic collection bins have been installed at the Welipenna Service Area to promote responsible disposal among commuters and ensure that collected plastic is directed into formal recycling systems.
With the Southern Expressway serving as a high-traffic transit route, this initiative aims to address plastic waste at source and promote more sustainable commuting habits.
This project forms part of Cargills’ broader sustainability agenda, which includes initiatives such as the Ocean Strainer Project in Boralesgamuwa and Wanathamulla, as well as coastal conservation efforts through the adoption of Crow Island Beach.
#Cargills #KIST #KNUCKLES #PlasticWasteManagement #CSR #Sustainability
As Sri Lanka welcomes the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, we celebrate a moment that is deeply rooted in our shared heritage.
This auspicious occasion brings families and communities together across our island, transcending differences and reinforcing the values that unite us as one nation. It is a time to pause, express gratitude, and embrace the spirit of togetherness that defines who we are.
At Cargills, we are inspired by the resilience and strength of the Sri Lankan people. Through countless challenges, we have continued to move forward, guided by hope, determination, and a shared belief in a brighter future. The New Year reminds us of the importance of unity, the power of community, and the opportunities that emerge when we stand together.
As we step into this New Year, we do so with renewed optimism and strength to contribute towards the prosperity of our nation. May this season bring peace to your homes, strength to your endeavors, and success in all that lies ahead.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful, prosperous, and harmonious Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
We are delighted to share the highlights of our recent event held in honour of World Recycling Day 2026, celebrating the expansion of our plastic collection bin network in collaboration with Unilever.
Plastic collection bins have now been deployed at over 100 Cargills Food City stores under this partnership — making recycling more accessible and convenient for our customers and the wider community.
This milestone marks another important step toward building a greener future and encouraging sustainable practices.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined hands with us to make this initiative a success. Let’s keep recycling, keep caring, and keep creating impact together!
Cargills Food City Wins SLIM Kantar People’s Supermarket Brand of the Year 2026
Cargills Food City is proud to be recognized as the People’s Supermarket Brand of the Year 2026 at the SLIM Kantar awards, marking an exceptional fifth consecutive year. This achievement reflects our deep connection with customers and reinforces our position as one of Sri Lanka’s leading consumer brands.
Since opening our first store in 1983 at Staple Street, Colombo, Cargills Food City has grown to 562 outlets across all districts, offering a wide range of products, including essentials, fresh produce, packaged local and international brands and pharmacy items. With a single-price policy across the country, we ensure fairness and accessibility for all communities while helping households save money every day.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal customers, our dedicated team members across stores, distribution centers, field operations and collection centers and our partners, including farmers, smallholder producers and suppliers. By building sustainable markets and supporting local businesses, we create inclusive value chains that benefit communities nationwide.
Through continuous reinvestment in expansion, quality, freshness, cold chain and logistics infrastructure and capacity building for farmers and suppliers, we maintain excellence across the value chain. Committed to affordability, youth development, environmental stewardship including energy-saving initiatives and solar expansion and supporting livelihoods, Cargills Food City continues to empower communities and contribute to a healthier and more prosperous Sri Lanka.
#Cargills #CargillsFoodCity #PeoplesSupermarketBrandOfTheYear #SLIMKantarPeoplesAwards2026
We recently held another regional event of the Cargills Sarubima Scholarship Award Ceremony in Thambuttegama, extending educational support to 112 children, all of whom are children of our valued Cargills farmers.
Scholarships were awarded across Grade 5, Advanced Level, Vocational and University categories. In addition to financial assistance, university students received laptops to support their higher education and digital learning needs.
In line with our commitment to education and community development, Smart Classrooms were introduced to three schools in the region, Hurigaswewa Vidyalaya, Oththappuwa Maha Vidyalaya and Gurugama Vidyalaya on the same day to enhance learning opportunities for students. Support was also extended to farming families through welfare packages and subsidised plastic crates to strengthen their livelihoods.
This year, over Rs. 115 million has been allocated through the Cargills Sarubima programme to support both student scholarships and rural community projects islandwide. Of this, over Rs. 50 million has been dedicated to educational scholarships, while over Rs. 60 million has been allocated to community development initiatives, including upgraded libraries, smart classrooms, clean water systems, sanitation facilities and preschool infrastructure enhancements.
#Cargills #Sarubima #Scholarships #Community #Farmers
In celebration of World Recycling Day, Cargills Food and Beverage Ltd. through its brands KIST and Knuckles, adopted Crow Island Beach and conducted a volunteer-led clean-up in partnership with Clean Ocean Force and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).
The initiative focuses on the long-term protection and preservation of the coastal environment. As part of the programme, the beach will be maintained daily with the support of dedicated caretakers, while also supporting their livelihoods by providing meaningful income opportunities.
Volunteers from Cargills, together with teams from the Interact Club of Colombo and Clean Ocean Force Community in Negombo (Sri Vimukthi Women’s Association), worked to remove plastic and other pollutants from the beach.
The event also marked the launch of Sri Lanka’s first tethered bottle cap by Knuckles, designed to stay attached to the bottle after opening, helping reduce plastic waste and improve recycling.
#WorldRecyclingDay #Cargills #Knuckles #KIST #CleanOceanForce #Sustainability #EnvironmentalConservation #CoastalProtection
This Women’s Day, we hear from some of the incredible women at Cargills on what it truly means to be a woman.
From our offices and factories to the supply chain, retail outlets, restaurants and beyond into the community, their dedication, resilience and leadership inspire progress every day. Every effort, every idea and every action creates a path forward.
Their courage, determination and impact continue to build a brighter future for all.
#WomensDay #WomenAtCargills #EmpoweringWomen
We recently concluded the 9th regional Cargills Sarubima Scholarship Award Ceremony in Rikillagaskada, supporting 112 children from farming families across Rikillagaskada, Sigiriya, Hanguranketha, and Ragala.
Scholarships were awarded across Grade 5, Advanced Level, Vocational, and University categories. University students were also provided with laptops to support their higher education journey and digital learning needs.
The Ragala and Rikillagaskada regions were severely affected by the recent cyclone. In the aftermath of these challenges, the Cargills Sarubima Scholarship Programme has provided meaningful and timely support to farming communities, reinforcing our commitment during times when it matters most. Farmers and farmer societies expressed their sincere appreciation for the continued encouragement extended to their children through this initiative.
#Cargills #Sarubima #Scholarships #Community #Farmers
In response to the recent floods that affected faculty facilities, Cargills Dairies (Pvt) Ltd, through its brand Magic, donated laboratory equipment and laptops to the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya.
This support will help restore learning and research environments while giving students valuable hands-on exposure to dairy technology, product development, and food innovation—skills that prepare them for meaningful careers in Sri Lanka’s growing food and agriculture sector.
As a company that has consistently championed youth skill development and education, this initiative reflects our continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of local talent and contributing to the nation’s future.
#Cargills #CargillsDairies #Magic #SupportingEducation #YouthDevelopment
Every vegetable on our shelves has a story.
We’re bringing you closer to the farmers who grow your food. Through our digital agri collection system, you can see exactly where your vegetables come from and who carefully grew them — ensuring freshness, quality, and less wastage along the way.
And now, when you shop with us, you’ll even see the faces of the farmers behind your food. Because the journey from farm to table is not just about produce, it’s about people who feed the nation.
#Cargills #FreshProduce #LocalFarmers #SustainableFarming
Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience an array of artisanal foods and crafts developed by local
small business owners at the 35th Cargills Village to Home!
Shop local and support the small businesses in your community this weekend by visiting the Cargills Food
City - Pelawatte on the 14th and 15th February 2026, from 9 AM to 5 PM
We recently held the 7th and 8th regional Cargills Sarubima Scholarship Award Ceremonies at Boralanda and Ruwalwela, supporting 138 children from farming families across the region.
Educational scholarships were awarded across Grade 5, Advanced Level, Vocational, and University categories, with laptops provided to university students to support their higher education.
We also introduced Smart Classrooms to enhance learning and extended support to families through welfare packages, water purification projects, and subsidised plastic crates for farmers.
Since 2008, the Sarubima Fund has been a key initiative of Cargills, reflecting our commitment to working directly with rural farming communities and creating opportunities for children to thrive.
#Cargills #Sarubima #Scholarships #Community #Farmers
This Independence Day, we reflect on the journey that has shaped us — a journey marked by resilience, shared effort, and a deep sense of unity. Our past achievements remind us of what is possible when we stand together.
As we look ahead, let us recommit to building our nation as one — united in purpose, hopeful in spirit, and focused on creating prosperity for all Sri Lankans.
At Cargills, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nation-building, walking alongside our communities to help shape a stronger, more inclusive, and hopeful Sri Lanka.