KUALA LUMPUR: Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd and Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia (YFBM) have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen food redistribution efforts, support communities in need and reduce food waste.
In a statement today, the food and beverage giant said the agreement formalises and expands its existing collaboration with YFBM, which began in 2020, covering food redistribution and monsoon relief initiatives for vulnerable communities across Malaysia.
To date, Nestlé Malaysia has contributed more than RM7mil worth of products through food redistribution and humanitarian relief initiatives undertaken with YFBM.
Under the MoU, Nestlé Malaysia will continue to provide surplus food and beverage products that are suitable for consumption, while YFBM will coordinate their distribution to beneficiaries.
In conjunction with the signing, Nestlé Malaysia employee volunteers and YFBM prepared 800 food and nutrition aid packs for families in remote areas of Tumpat and Jeli, Kelantan, ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
The initiative forms part of Nestlé Malaysia's annual Nationwide Flood Aid Relief programme, which provides supplies to communities that may face difficulties accessing essential goods during the monsoon period.
Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the agreement would provide a framework for continued food redistribution and community assistance.
He said early preparations were important for communities that could become difficult to reach during the monsoon season.
“With the monsoon season approaching, acting early is especially important for communities that may become harder to reach later in the year,” he said.
YFBM board of trustees chairperson Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said public-private partnerships enabled food resources, volunteers and distribution networks to be coordinated to assist communities in need.
“Food assistance is most effective when it is consistent, well organised and able to reach people where support is needed,” she said.
The collaboration also covers the redistribution of edible surplus food to reduce avoidable waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Nestlé Malaysia, the initiative supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action.
The partnership is also part of the company's Nestlé Sayang Komuniti programme, which involves employees in community and environmental activities across Malaysia.