FoodForward SA is delighted to announce that we have WON the 2019 edition of the internationally acclaimed Arrell Global Food Innovation Award. This award recognises global excellence in food innovation and community impact through programmes that address food insecurity.
It is hosted by the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada and adjudicated by a panel of international experts in food and agriculture science, as well as influential leaders of global movements. The panel of adjudicators include:
- Sir Charles Godfray (Professor of Population Biology – Oxford University)
- Pamela Ronald (Distinguished Professor for Dept. of Plant Pathology – UC Davis)
- Christine Daugherty (VP Global Sustainable Agriculture & Responsible Sourcing – PepsiCo)
- Sheila Watt-Cloutier (Adjucator – Arrell Global Food Institute)
FoodForward SA competed with hundreds of nominees from around the globe who all do fantastic work in the broad area of food innovation and community impact. The categories that we were measured on were:
- food sovereignty;
- food production;
- food access/distribution;
- food insecurity;
- community development and governance;
- socio-economic policy;
- empowerment of under-served communities;
- food and nutrition literacy;
- household nutrition;
- poverty elimination; and
- non-traditional food systems.
Ultimately, the amazing work of FoodForward SA could not ignored and the panel of judges were in unanimous agreement over declaring us as the overall winner. We were recognised for exceptionally significant contributions relating to the use of technology in the fight against hunger, food production and consumption, improving nutrition, facilitating easy access and distribution of food, and the critical leadership role that FoodForward SA plays in addressing food insecurity across South Africa. The awards ceremony will take place in early December 2019 by the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada where FoodForward SA will be proudly represented by our Managing Director, Andy du Plessis, and our National Fund Development Manager, Deidre Adams.
This award is dedicated to our entire FoodForward SA family whose excellent work, determination and special efforts have significantly contributed to helping FoodForward SA realise our vision of A South Africa without hunger. Teamwork can be summed up in five short words…”We believe in each other”, and here at FoodForward SA, we certainly believe in our each member of our amazing team.