This year, Tastic Rice has committed to providing enough rice to pack a phenomenal 5 million meals for families in need in South Africa. The brands’ partnership with Rise Against Hunger also seeks to support the United Nations in its mission to end world hunger by 2030, as part of its sustainable development goals.
“World hunger is in the region of about 820 million people who are food insecure,” says Brian Nell, CEO, Rise Against Hunger. In South Africa about 26% of all households do not have access to a nutritious meal,” he adds.
As a non-profit organisation, Rise Against Hunger is dedicated to ending world hunger by 2030 in a sustainable manner and in just three years has grown its support from 9 000 beneficiaries to more than 66 000 who receive five nutritional meals per week. “Much of its success is that it provides immediate nutrition to vulnerable children that underpins a flourishing education framework despite poverty,” says Brian Nell.
“With our support from Tastic we are able to grow our beneficiary base which makes our goal a lot more achievable,” says Nell. It is well established that nutrition lies at the forefront of good health and development in the early stages of life. This development feeds into education because proper mental and motor development that occurs in early childhood can only take place if the child is provided with a nutritional meal every day.
As part of Nelson Mandela’s Legacy, Mandela Day calls for all South Africans to make a positive difference by ensuring sustainable development for the country is not only possible but is realised. “For Tastic Rice, sustainability means putting its consumers at the heart of everything it does while always looking for new ways to improve the lives of the communities in and around the country.
Providing people with superior quality rice as a staple for their everyday diet is just another way we
are able to help them reach their full potential.” Says Thembi Sehloho, Marketing Director for Rice and Pasta, Tiger Brands.
To contribute to Tastic’s activities around Mandela Month, Tiger Brands staff, pre-booked consumers, media and influencers have committed to spend 67 minutes packing meals for families in need. This event will take place on 12 July 2019 at the Sandton Convention Centre.
“This initiative also allows our staff to volunteer during Mandela Month in a way that adds to the sustainability of the initiative. They are able to get in touch with what it means to make a difference by giving their time to others. Perhaps, most importantly,” Sehloho says, “we are able to partner with Rise Against Hunger to achieve the country’s sustainable development goals by ensuring a solid early childhood development (ECD) foundation and creating SMME opportunities for crèche owners.”
On 18 July the packing event will be on a national scale at RAH centres around the country. There will be participation from eight packing centres which include Time Square Casino in Pretoria, Grand West Casino in Cape Town, Sibaya Casino in Durban, Boardwalk Casino in Port Elizabeth and the Windmill Casino in Bloemfontein.
“We are thrilled to have Tastic Rice onboard for the staple ingredient that is essential in our meal packs. Good nutrition is the basis of a healthy mind and we cannot provide solid nutrients without a significant rice partner,” Says Nell.
“As the rice partner of choice, Tastic is able to play a critical role in providing nutrition to the communities in which we live and serve. Tastic wants to be there, at every meal and every milestone helping people rise to harness their transitional capabilities, ensuring that they reach their full potential” says Thembi Sehloho.
