Cargill and WFP launched the school children's Nutrition Program (ProGAS) in Amurang

(Amurang, 15 November 2019) – Cargill continues to demonstrate its commitment to support the school children Nutrition Program (ProGas) initiated by the Ministry of Education. Cargill expanded the coverage of this program to two elementary schools in the West Amurang, South Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, namely the primary school GMIM Kawangkoan Bawah and SD GMIM Mobongo.

Improving child nutrition is essential to build the future of the nation and to prevent stunting, in order for our future generations to be more competitive and ready for future challenges. That is why Cargill see the importance of starting the scaling up nutrition program from an early age, by improving nutrition through the provision of nutritious food for children. Malnourished or unbalanced nutrition in children can interfere with their studies, impacting on how they absorb the lessons given at school. Poor nutrition in children usually makes them unfocused, sleepy in the classroom and decreased in endurance (get sick easily).

Imelda Tandako, Plant Manager of PT. Cargill Indonesia in Amurang, explained,. "We hope through ProGAS where parents are directly involved in helping to prepare breakfast for their elementary children with a selection of traditional menus that uses ingredients that meet the nutritional needs of children, can instill an understanding of the importance of healthy breakfast and nutritious breakfast. With the good cooperation between the company, WFP, teachers, parents, community and also children, we can make the children of the district become healthier, smarter and have a good strong character.

While the head of the Youth and Sports Education Office (Dikpora) of South Minahasa Regency (Minsel), Fietber Raco, representing the South Minahasa Regent, said the local government has implemented a food safety system and will be distributed to Schools in improving the health of younger generations. "We thank Cargill Indonesia for the initiative together with WFP in scaling up the nutrition program at two schools in South Minahasa regency. This ProGas that is funded by Cargill Indonesia set a good example and model for other private sectors as well as the Government to implement similar initiative that cover other schools in Minahasa Selatan in the future, "he said.