Grainnet

Managua, Nicaragua—The World Soy Foundation (WSF) and Cargill announce plans for Nicaragua’s first corporate responsibility conference focused on childhood nutrition.

The organizations encourage businesses to join them for “Nutrition Solutions for Central America, An Alternative to Corporate Social Responsibility” on Feb. 15-16 at the Convention Center of Hotel Crowne Plaza in Managua.

Participants will explore a wide range of nutrition topics, including the role of corporate responsibility to improve health and nutrition.

The event is sponsored by the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) and the Nicaraguan Union for Social Responsibility.

Cargill’s sponsorship of a three-year World Soy Foundation project has already nourished 27,756 children and trained 251 care providers in Central America.

This initiative has also mobilized greater CSR opportunities in Honduras and Guatemala, where similar CSR conferences were held in 2009 and 2010.

"Cargill’s sponsorship of the World Soy Foundation has benefitted thousands of children and helped the business community focus on opportunities to do even more good," said World Soy Foundation executive director, Nathan Ruby.

Prior to the CSR Conference in February, Cargill will deliver textured soy protein to six Nicaraguan schools.

Cargill’s corporate vice president, Alfredo Velez said, "Improving childhood nutrition in Nicaragua is a long-term investment.

"Food security is critical to our business.

"We support education, health and nutrition programs that make a positive impact on the communities where we live and work."

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the most recent study in Nicaragua shows that in 1998, 12 percent of Nicaraguan children less than five years old were underweight and 25 percent were stunted.

"Soy offers much-needed protein and other nutrients that help kids grow and learn," said Ruby.

"Kids and adults love the taste of these fortified foods, too."

Cargill invests in Nicaragua to improve and develop nutrition, health, education and sanitary conditions in school children.

The company supports training for parents and teachers regarding the handling and preparation of school meals.

For more information, contact Karen Coble Edwards, 703-281-7600.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• WSF
• Cargill

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