PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday 1st April 2014
New International Egg Foundation launched to help combat malnutrition in developing countries
A new charitable foundation, the International Egg Foundation (IEF) has been launched by the
International Egg Commission during its IEC Business Conference Vienna 2014. This new global
foundation will help 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.
Figures produced by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (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 International Egg Foundation, explained: “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; millions of people are suffering. 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.”
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.
The IEF will provide technical advice as well as financial assistance to farmers and entrepreneurs.
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. Bart Jan Krouwel
went on to explain: “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.
“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.”
Through its links with the International Egg Commission 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 Organization, the
International Egg Foundation is committed to making high quality egg protein accessible to people
living in developing countries; it is committed to making a real difference to people’s lives.
By 2050 the world’s population is expected to reach 9 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.
The IEF will work from the ground roots up, to create a sustainable, self-sufficient food supply. To
achieve this the IEF supports, and is supported by, other international organisations, it will add value
to existing projects and establish new programmes where necessary.
Chairman of the IEF, Bart Jan Krouwel, has worked with world leading Corporate Social Responsibility
projects for over 20 years, including being the former Managing Director Corporate Social
Responsibility of the Rabobank Group, where, amongst other things, he was responsible for the
Rabobank Foundation.
More information about the IEF and the projects it is already involved with is available at
www.internationaleggfoundation.com
Ends
For further information please contact Vikki Millichamp, tel: + 44 (0) 20 7490 3493, or email
vikki@internationalegg.com or info@internationaleggfoundation.com