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Egg Farmers of Canada shares farming expertise in developing world

Egg Farmers of Canada partners with Heart for Africa to launch sustainable farming initiative in Swaziland

OTTAWA, October 10, 2014 – Egg Farmers of Canada today announced details of their partnership with Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan, an initiative that will help address food insecurity and feed orphaned children in Swaziland by sharing Canadian expertise on sustainable farming. The announcement coincides with World Egg Day, an occasion that recognizes the importance of eggs around the world, falling on October 10, 2014.

One in three people in Swaziland are undernourished,1  with more than 200,000 orphans and vulnerable children living in the country.2 Currently over 1.2 million people in Swaziland depend on subsistence farming,3 a practice that limits food availability and progress in the region. A recent survey conducted by Vision Critical and commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada also found that 84% of Canadians agree more can be done to help those in the developing world gain reliable access to nutritious and healthy food.

With the support of Egg Farmers of Canada, Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan will continue to expand with the addition of a new egg farm that will help feed orphaned children and teach Swazi locals worldclass farming practices commonly used throughout Canada. The initiative is expected to impact thousands of people living in the region by providing high-quality protein that’s essential for human growth and development.

“Sustainable agriculture is crucial for countries experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition,” says Tim Lambert, CEO of Egg Farmers of Canada, who visited Swaziland in June. “This is particularly important when looking at orphaned and malnourished children. I’ve seen first-hand what a difference our farmers can make by sharing their expertise and knowledge. ”

Poor nutrition and low protein diet are among the main reasons why the vaccine programs do not work well in Swaziland. Human immune system needs high quality protein to function and to respond well to vaccines. With 6 grams of protein and 14 key nutrients, eggs are one of the most accessible and affordable form of animal protein there is.

“Egg farming is the perfect way to assure protein and vitamins are incorporated into the diet of orphaned children and disadvantaged adults living in this very special country,” adds Peter Clarke, Chairman of Egg Farmers of Canada, who visited Swaziland in June.

At home, a survey commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada revealed 95% of Canadians agree that adequate access to protein is essential to a person’s overall health and wellbeing and 86% of them say they eat eggs as an affordable source of high-quality protein, vitamins and nutrients.

There are currently over 70 orphans under the age of 4 years old who live on Heart for Africa’s Project Canaan, most of which arrive as malnourished infants and will stay until they are 18 years old. The initiative not only provides food, shelter, love, care and education, but will also teach life skills and sustainable farming practices as the children get older, providing them with a brighter future.

“Being able to add eggs to people’s diet is a huge game changer,” says Janine Maxwell, co-founder of Heart for Africa. “Having access to proteins will help boost children’s immune systems while providing essential vitamins and nutrients that are not always available. Egg Farmers of Canada is making a huge difference to the local community.”

At home, Canadians support the need to feed the hungry overseas. A recent survey conducted by Vision Critical and commissioned by Egg Farmers of Canada found:

Canadians love eggs; and say they have access to fresh, nutritious and high-quality food

Canadians believe world-class farming practices are the greatest help in the supply of fresh, local and high-quality produce

About Heart for Africa

Heart for Africa is a faith-based humanitarian organization focused on bringing hope to the people of Swaziland by focusing in the areas of Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education through a 2,500 acre farm called Project Canaan. Our goal is to develop a financially self-sustainable farm that provides training and employment for the Swazi people, as well as providing a home for abandoned babies who will live, grow and be educated on Project Canaan so they can become the future leaders of this tiny Kingdom.

About Egg Farmers of Canada

Now in its fourth decade as one of Canada’s leading agriculture organizations, Egg Farmers of Canada manages the national egg supply and promotes egg consumption while representing the interests of regulated egg producers from coast to coast.

About Subsistence and Subsistence Farming

Subsistence farming is a form of farming in which nearly all of the crops or livestock raised are used to maintain the farmer and the farmer’s family, leaving little (if any) surplus for sale or trade. Subsistence farming is not sustainable both from an economic and ecological perspective. Sustainable farming ultimately seeks to sustain farmers, resources and communities by promoting modern farming practices and methods that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities. Sustainable farming is economically viable, social supportive and ecologically sound.

1 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
2 World Food Program
3 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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