Egg Foundation aims to combat malnutrition
The International Egg Commission (IEC) has launched the International Egg Foundation (IEF), a global charitable foundation which will aim to provide people living in developing countries with greater access to eggs as part of its goal to combat malnutrition and provide people who are underfed and undernourished with access to a sustainable diet.
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Figures produced by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) show that 870 million people suffer from chronic hunger. Among children, it is estimated that 171 million under five years of age are chronically malnourished.
Bart Jan Krouwel, chairman of the IEF, said a lack of access to high quality protein is a major problem for many people living in developing countries. "As FAO figures show, malnutrition is a major issue globally. Eggs are an excellent source of high quality protein, they contain all the essential vitamins and minerals required for a healthy diet. Eggs also have two key advantages when it comes to helping to improve diets in developing countries, they are one of the most accessible forms of high quality protein, and they have a low carbon footprint, making them a truly sustainable option."
Financial independence
The IEF will work with leading charitable organisations, universities, and leading egg businesses around the world to provide financial support and technical advice to increase egg production in developing countries.
Operating in the truest sense of corporate social responsibility, its work will enable farmers and entrepreneurs in developing regions to increase their own local egg production. "The more eggs that are produced, the more eggs people can consume, providing a much needed source of high quality protein to people who are underfed and undernourished," Krouwel explained.
"As well as providing access to food, small scale egg production schemes have been proven to help people in developing countries achieve financial independence and increase their social standing. Small scale egg production projects have also proven highly successful in encouraging a sense of community in refugee situations," he said.
Making a difference
Through its links with the IEC and the world's largest egg businesses, and by partnering with the world's largest, most effective, charitable foundations and organisations, including Rabobank Foundation and the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation, the IEF is committed to making high quality egg protein accessible to people living in developing countries and is committed to making a real difference to people's lives.
By 2050 the world's population is expected to reach nine billion people, with the highest rates of population growth taking place in the regions that already suffer from the most severe food insecurity. The vision of the IEF is to help facilitate an independent and sustainable food supply, ensuring food self-sufficiency for people now and in the future. Its mission is to increase egg production and consumption in developing countries, providing people who are underfed with the means and methods to access high quality egg protein.
