Nestlé engages 15,000 Nigerian women in Maggi home garden initiative

•Promotes vegetable consumption

Following growing concerns to encourage consumption of vegetables as part of a healthy diet, Nestlé, Nigeria, through the Maggi brand, has engaged over 15,000 Nigerian women through its home garden initiative this year.

A statement from the Nestlé Central & West Africa Region, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Direction, signed by Isabella Akinseye, said that the scheme is an integral part of the yearly, ‘Maggi Women’s Forum,’ which is held in different parts of Nigeria in partnership with various women’s groups, including the governors’ wives and association presidents.

At each forum, participants are taught about the importance of nutrition, health and wellness, shown how to raise a home garden and are given a vegetable garden starter pack containing iron-rich fluted pumpkin vegetable (an indigenous vegetable grown in southern Nigeria), and a leaflet. Over the past five years, women in 18 Nigerian states have received vegetable seeds.

Commenting on the Maggi home garden initiative, Nordine Meguini, Category Business Manager Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, said: “Maggi helps families to prepare balanced menus, based on nutritious ingredients.
The home garden initiative is a simple and sustainable way to promote home cooking with vegetables. The seeds offered are easily grown and do not require specific skills.”

Speaking on the response to the home garden initiative, Imabong Martins, Regional Consumer Services Manager said: “It has been very positive and encouraging. Women have called in to report on the progress of their home gardens. Some women have even taken this a step further and are now selling the vegetables they grow on a commercial basis.”

Since the beginning of the year, women have been encouraged to cultivate and send pictures of full grown-harvest ready plants. The first five women to send their pictures from each association will be visited and presented with a Maggi gift. This initiative is part of Nestlé’s global commitments to encourage consumption of vegetables as evidence suggests that many people do not reach the recommended level of consumption. The Maggi Women Forum is expected to reach an additional 15,000 Nigerian women by the end of this year.


This story was published in Newswatch Times on September 12, 2015.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Image
BY CHIOMA UMEHA, Awareness and proper understanding of family planning has been recognised to reduce maternal death among young women of reproductive age between 15 and 49. Data on Sexual Reproductive Health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal death per 1,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (NDHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data shows that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria. (NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The National adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. In the North Western States, it is as high as 171 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. To stem this, the government of Lagos State with support from partners and other donor agencies has put in place youth-friendly he
Read more

Develop Specific Security Reforms To Curb Corruption In Defence Sector, National Assembly Urged

Image
  Group photograph of participants at the one-day workshop on "Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria's Defence and Security Sector organised recently, by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), in collaboration with Transparency International - Defence and Security Project (TI-DSP) in Nasarawa State . National Assembly (NASS) has been urged to develop specific security reforms aimed at systematically curbing the root causes of corruption within the defence and security institutions in Nigeria. The stakeholders who during a recent a one-day workshop in Nasarawa state on "Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria's Defence and Security Sector, also "advocated for the adoption of specific legislation” to curb corruption in the sector.   The stakeholders who participated recently in a one-day workshop on &q
Read more

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Image
By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,
Read more