Articles Apr 24, 2024

Helping farming communities meet their own health and nutrition needs

The combined expertise of our local sustainability teams with partners such as Funcafé, TechnoServe, Côte d’Ivoire's National Nutrition program, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) delivers solutions to improve access to clean water, healthcare services and supplies, and nutritious food.

Initiatives range from using geo-location to identify and screen for infant malnutrition in farming communities in Côte d'Ivoire - where one in five children experience stunted growth and development - to fortifying key staples with vitamins and minerals in our processing facilities.

In 2023, ofi’s Côte d'Ivoire teams screened over 14,000 children using the Infant Malnutrition System Alert (IMSA) smartphone-based application, with over 390 moderate and acute cases identified and referred to healthcare facilities. This was achieved in partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s National Nutrition Programme (PNN). The app was developed by ofi sustainability analyst Dr Stephanie Konan PhD, who was awarded the Prize for Research and Innovation by Côte d'Ivoire’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in December.

In our dairy manufacturing facility in the southern state of Johor, Malaysia, we produce dairy products largely destined for the Middle East and Africa. Here, we fortify our milk powder with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, D and E, an important step because some of the micronutrients in milk can be lost during processing. As a staple ingredient enjoyed across the world, offering value-added dairy products that are full of nutrients helps to address nutritional deficiencies that are common in many of the markets where our products are consumed.

“Food fortification addresses nutrient deficiencies and helps to improve overall health outcomes, especially in regions where access to nutritious food is limited and many people suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. We refer to fortification standards and regulatory guidelines in the target market and partner with our customers to develop fortified products. As this approach does not require significant changes in people’s dietary habits, it is often highly cost-effective and sustainable.” – Mirjam Kneepkens, Nutrition and Health Specialist, ofi

In November 2023, ofi’s North America spice business launched a project with the Colorado River Indian Tribe, growers and suppliers of onions for dehydration. To kick off the project, our corporate chefs hosted a nutrition workshop for the elders at the senior centre reservation, focusing on creating nutritious thanksgiving dishes using spices and vegetables grown on the reservation to replace oil and sugar, as part of efforts to address rates of diabetes and heart disease in the tribal population.

Helping farming communities meet their own health and nutrition needs

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