Kerry Group is set to contribute US$750,000 (€688,500), as well as technical support, to a ‘pioneering’ new project in Honduras, Central America.
Details of the pilot three-year programme, which was launched by Kerry Group and the World Food Programme (WFP), have recently been announced.
Under this partnership, which is believed to be the first between an Irish company and the WFP, both parties have agreed to collaborate on the pilot programme to be known as ‘Project Leche’.
Working directly with local communities and key national stakeholders; the project aims to support farmers, with small holdings, in the production of safe and sustainable dairy products, that can be used locally to optimise the nutritional content of school meals.
Recurring national disasters
In Honduras, recurrent natural disasters and a susceptibility to the effects of climate change contribute to food insecurity.
The WFP has been supporting Honduran communities since 1970 and a core element of its work is the School Meals Programme.
Meanwhile, the WFP’s Home Grown School Meals (HGSM) programme goes one step further by purchasing food from small, local producers whenever possible, helping to strengthen local economies.
Through ‘Project Leche’, both Kerry and WFP aim to improve the impact of the HGSM programme in the project area, for both children and their local communities.
Forming part of Kerry Group’s broader sustainability programme ‘Towards 2020’, it is hoped this initiative will leverage the company’s “key strengths” and will apply its “extensive nutritional, agricultural and processing expertise” to support WFP in achieving the programme’s objectives.
- Increasing the nutritional value of school meals by increasing the dairy component.
- To build a more sustainable milk supply originating from local farms serving local schools.
- To raise the level of nutritional awareness amongst children, parents and teachers.
As a country, Ireland and its people have a long-standing commitment to supporting those in need, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed, said at the launch of the initiative.
“I am delighted that Kerry Group, through its partnership with the World Food Programme, is continuing this proud tradition.
“Kerry’s partnership with the WFP builds on Ireland’s core strengths in sustainable dairy production and I am sure that Kerry Group’s expertise will be of benefit to the WFP in advancing its ongoing efforts to tackle malnutrition.
“My Department continues to support the WFP through a Strategic Partnership Agreement that provides multi-annual humanitarian assistance funding,” Minister Creed said.
‘A Perfect Fit’
The partnership between Kerry Group and the WFP was a natural fit, according to Kerry Group Chief Executive, Stan McCarthy.
Kerry’s origins as a dairy cooperative and our direct link to our farming heritage has instilled a strong belief in supporting communities.
“Our knowledge and skills in dairy processing have long since been complemented by our unique technological capabilities and nutritional expertise that make us the global leader in taste and nutrition.
“When these strengths are coupled with our ability to develop tailored solutions that meet specific consumer needs, the potential of our partnership with the WFP is clear.
“We are proud to be the first Irish company to partner with such a trusted organisation and, over the next three years, we look forward to making a real difference to the lives of people in Honduras through Project Leche,” McCarthy said.