Green & Red Podcast #474: "Stop Oreos, Save the Rainforest"

Guest: Maggie Martin (Rainforest Action Network)
Host: Scott Parkin
Date: March 4, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the Rainforest Action Network’s (RAN) campaign targeting Mondelez International—the parent company of Oreo—over its role in rainforest deforestation and human rights abuses linked to palm oil and other commodities. Scott Parkin is joined by Maggie Martin, RAN's Forest Campaign Manager, for a timely discussion leading up to the March 6 "International Stop Oreo Day" of action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Problem with Oreos and Rainforest Destruction

• Oreos and Deforestation
  • Oreos, though widely loved, are tied to serious environmental and human rights issues due to the sourcing of palm oil and other ingredients.
  • Mondelez, Oreo’s manufacturer, continues to do business with producers involved in deforestation and land grabs, especially in Indonesia, despite public commitments to sustainable practices.
  • "The maker of Oreo is Mondelez International...they're doing business with producers on the ground in Indonesia...responsible for deforestation, both legal and illegal...violating their commitments..." (Maggie, [01:25])

Abuse in the Supply Chain

• Exploitation Beyond the Environment
  • Exploitation includes not just environmental destruction, but serious human rights abuses: child labor, labor rights violations, and especially violations of community land rights and indigenous sovereignty.
  • RAN's main demand is that companies adopt and implement human rights defender policies, including a zero-tolerance stance toward violence against indigenous and local communities.
  • "One of our key strategies is pushing these companies to adopt human rights defender policies where they have zero tolerance for violence, intimidation, [and] criminalization..." (Maggie, [03:33])

Climate Impact

• Global and Local Consequences
  • Tropical rainforest destruction worsens the climate crisis by releasing stored carbon and exacerbating extreme weather like flooding and landslides.
  • Recent severe flooding in Indonesia illustrates the catastrophic effects of deforestation-driven development.
  • "It really impacts the weather, the climate, the ability of the land to absorb the water...recently, there was catastrophic flooding in Southeast Asia...many communities were decimated..." (Maggie, [04:35])

RAN’s Campaign Demands and Strategies

• Focus on Accountability and Remediation

  • RAN's "Keep Forests Standing" scorecard publicly ranks companies on environmental and human rights standards, with Mondelez ranking worst.
  • The campaign urges Mondelez not just to cut off suppliers, but to use their influence to push for remedies and true reform in supply chains.
  • "We really ask them to use their influence to push the suppliers to make remedy, to commit to zero tolerance themselves..." (Maggie, [06:00])

• Corporate Response

  • Mondelez has demonstrated superficial engagement but avoids meaningful action until pressured.
  • The company is now a primary target of RAN’s public campaign, as “they're not going to do [the right thing] without feeling pressure from us.”
  • _"We thought things were moving forward, but when it came time to deliver, they just really did not." _(Maggie, [06:52])

Escalating Tactics: Activism in Action

• Creative Disruption and Mobilization
  • Outside tactics include mobile billboards at executive events, dramatic banner drops at the Oreo Café, and disrupting industry events/CEO speeches.
  • Leading up to "International Stop Oreo Day" (March 6)—coinciding with National Oreo Day—activists are organized to stage in-store photo ops, letter deliveries to retailers, and coordinate social media action.
  • "We had a team go to this giant American Dream mall in Jersey where there was an Oreo cafe...they unfurled some giant banners...and had carolers singing about our message."(Maggie, [08:41])

"International Stop Oreo Day"

• Aiming for Mass Participation
  • RAN's campaign offers a toolkit for individuals and groups to participate, encouraging photos with signs at local Oreo displays and pressure on retailers.
  • Activists seek to redirect the “feel-good” PR of National Oreo Day (“Oreo bike rides and parties”) to draw attention to the brand’s destructive impact.
  • "We're asking people to use our toolkit or make their own little sign and do a photo op in front of Oreo displays...delivering letters to retailers..." (Maggie, [09:48])

Intersectionality and Urgency

• Why Now? and Why It Still Matters
  • The discussion recognizes that broad social crises often overshadow sustainability issues, but insists these struggles remain urgent and interconnected.
  • "These issues are really important too. Like they can't wait for the end of war and fascism. Like, we have to continue to push..." (Maggie, [07:50])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Oreos are delicious, we can all admit that, I think...but we can do some extra work to make them more just..."
  — Maggie Martin, [01:25]

• "One of the best protections for forests and for land is the forest defenders, the local and indigenous communities that protect that land."
  — Maggie Martin, [03:55]

• "These folks don't want to be associated with land grabs and with violating Indigenous people's rights...when we raise our voices together...they want to move."
  — Maggie Martin, [07:54]

• "All of this is leading up to what we're calling International Stop Oreo Day...it's just basically this feel good marketing holiday where various news outlets are going to do little puff pieces about Oreo...We're asking people to use our toolkit..."
  — Maggie Martin, [09:36]

• "Oreo copied an older cookie, Hydrox, which doesn't have as catchy of a name."
  — Maggie Martin, [10:36]

Key Timestamps

• [01:25] — Maggie explains the direct link between Oreos, palm oil, deforestation, and rights abuses.
• [03:33] — The real meaning of exploitation in the supply chain (focus on land rights and indigenous defenders).
• [04:35] — How rainforest destruction fuels deadly climate impacts and local disasters.
• [06:00] — RAN’s specific demands for Mondelez: human rights defender policies and supplier accountability.
• [06:52] — The reality of Mondelez’s lackluster response and importance of public campaigning.
• [08:41] — Escalating outside strategies: from billboards to in-mall banner drops and conference disruptions.
• [09:36] — Details and tactics for International Stop Oreo Day.
• [11:04] — How to get involved: RAN social media and toolkit call-to-action.

Resources and Call to Action

• Get involved: Check RAN’s social media (Instagram, Facebook) for "Stop Oreo" campaign updates and toolkits.
• Participate: Take photos at Oreo displays, deliver letters to retailers, use RAN hashtags on social media.
• Learn more: Listen to future Green & Red episodes, support RAN, and keep pressure on consumer brands tied to deforestation.

Tone Note:
The episode combines Maggie's candid, informed activism with moments of humor and encouragement—“Oreos are delicious…we can all admit that”—without sacrificing urgency or depth about the environmental stakes.

For listeners:
If you want a concise primer on how our snack food choices tie into global environmental justice struggles, and how grassroots campaigns can push for better practices in multinational corporations, this is a highly actionable and insightful listen.