Six U.S.
Dairy Export Council (USDEC) members – Darigold Inc., James Farrell & Co.,
Hoogwegt U.S. Inc., Land O’Lakes Inc., Agri-Mark Inc., and Maryland &
Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association – donated and pledged more
than 30,000 lbs. of nonfat dry milk bound for Haiti today to replace previously
purchased powder that was lost in last week’s devastating earthquake. The milk
powder will be used by Meds & Food for Kids (MFK), an organization that
manufactures UNICEF-approved, ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) for
Haiti’s malnourished children.
MFK
produces and distributes Medika Mamba,
single-serve foil sachets that serve as a complete food product for children
under the age of five. It is a mixture of powdered milk, ground peanuts, sugar,
oil, vitamins and minerals.
“We appreciate the generosity and quick action
of the Export Council’s members in response to the humanitarian crisis in
Haiti. This donation will feed about 6,000 children,” says Véronique
Lagrange, USDEC’s vice president of strategic research and insights. “Medika
Mamba, like other UNICEF-approved
RUTFs, provides much-needed nutrients and quality proteins. The product
is shelf-stable and doesn’t require water; it is also very safe, making it
perfect for the conditions there.”
USDEC will be working with MFK to evaluate future needs and
develop a plan to provide powder to this factory over next few months, Lagrange
adds. Ongoing work with this group is for supply of product on a commercial
basis, not donation.
“We are working on the logistics of this shipment, not only
for a one-time effort, but also for the medium-term, since nutrition will remain
a key issue for children in Haiti as recovery continues in the days ahead,”
she says.
Milk donations were organized by USDEC, in
partnership with the American Peanut Council, which coordinated donations of
oil, sugar, micronutrients and packaging materials, in addition to peanuts.