The food industry is facing unprecedented pressure to change its practices and strategies, and boost its bottom lines. But behind the headlines about thin profit margins, cutthroat competition, changing consumer tastes, and technological disruption, the largest food companies are addressing social issues. Some examples:

BENTONVILLE, Ark., September 11, 2017/3BL Media/ – In response to the severe weather impacting the country, Walmart is committing up to $10 million in additional support for 2017 U.S. hurricane relief efforts. This will bring the total committed by Walmart to hurricane relief efforts this year to $30 million, building on the support provided in response to Hurricane Harvey that hit the Gulf region two-and-a-half weeks ago.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just over 7,000 -- 4.5 percent of the 164,000 veterans in Oklahoma's work force -- are unemployed. But there's another 152,000 veterans who aren't considered in the work force, which means they're either not looking for jobs, or have given up looking.

"I would like to see us do better," said State Senator Frank Simpson, "because I think military people bring some unique skills with them that maybe their civilian counterparts don't have."

“We think of ourselves as social change strategists,” explained Gayatri Agnew, Director of Career Opportunity at the Walmart Foundation, distinguishing the aspirations for her role from those typically expected of corporate foundation program officers or grants administrators.