Al Ghurair Foods (AGF) said its school feeding campaign held in partnership with Dubai Cares, a humanitarian organisation launched by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE VP and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler, was a big success.

A leading food manufacturer in the region, AGF said contribution of 5 per cent of total retail sales in the local UAE market had facilitated provision of in-school meals and promotion of education, proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles among children.

Commenting on the campaign, Mohammed Essa Al Ghurair, head of edible oils, AGF said: 'As our business grows, we strive to develop our philanthropic initiatives and better translate our commitment to support unprivileged communities around the world.'

'We are fortunate to be able to touch the lives of children worldwide. Through our partnership with Dubai Cares, the campaign was able to increase the awareness amongst the UAE community around the importance of providing proper nutrition and promoting healthy lifestyles among children in developing countries,' he noted.

During the campaign, which ran from October 28 to mid-December 2010, all products of Jenan, the flagship brand of AGF carried the Dubai Cares sticker.

The campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of providing proper nutrition to children in schools in developing countries to encourage them to complete their basic education instead of having to work to fulfill their nutrition needs – a factor which has proven to be essential in parents deciding to send their children to school.

Al Ghurair, underlining the importance of corporate partnerships in pursuing socially responsible endeavors, said, 'The School Feeding Campaign takes us back to our roots and reminds us of the value of basic education and the integral role it plays in carving out a holistic future for the impoverished children around the world.'

'This initiative also reinforces our commitment of feeding our future generations not just with healthy and nutritious food, but also with a sound education thereby equipping them to face the future.'

'We are committed to supporting communities currently faced with harsh economic realities and firmly believe that responsible corporates indeed have an imperative role to play in the building up of future generations. We are proud to be associated with Dubai Cares in making that difference,' he added.

As part of its contribution to the campaign, AGF donated 5 per cent of their total retail sales in the UAE market within the campaign period to Dubai Cares.

Al Ghurair handed over the contribution to Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, during a Dubai Cares team visit to the AGF Jebel Ali facility.

'The UAE’s corporate sector has always supported our efforts in providing children with access to quality primary education in developing countries. Leading corporates, like Al Ghurair Foods, have raised the platform of being socially responsible and helping the community at large,' Al Gurg noted.

'This is a good example of corporate organizations sincerely considering social responsibility as an integral part of their business,' he stated.

'With the continuous support of the UAE community, corporate and individuals, we can reach out to more children around the globe, serve their educational needs and help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goal 2 of universal primary education for all,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service