Shared by Dan Dietz, Director Engineering and Technical Services Organization  

As an organization, we are committed to supporting all those who count on our business, in fact, thriving together is one of our five Basic Beliefs, the values that define our culture. And, as our business has grown, so to have the opportunities to expand our impact. A great example of this is our partnership with Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), an organization that works to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and increase economic development across Africa by linking corporate volunteers with promising entrepreneurs.  

I was honored to have the opportunity to participate in a trip to Zambia to see firsthand how PFS is supporting African processors and the broader food value chain. While there were countless highlights from the trip, here are a few that I wanted to call out to reflect the importance and impact of this program.  

Every member of the PFS team, whether located in the U.S. headquarters or a regional African field office, is extremely passionate and committed to the organization’s mission.  I was inspired to see how the team thrived from the energy of being together – many for the first time in several years.  

It was also exciting to have the opportunity to talk through plans to promote continued progress. Notably, how the organization remains committed to innovating services to offer more depth of support to clients while maintaining its focus on putting staff into the field to provide hands-on resources and training. PFS field staff help create critical links that unlock the full value of the remote volunteers, like those from Smucker.  

A phrase I heard several times, which stuck with me, was that a farmer without a market is a gardener. It’s a clever turn of phrase but also an important reminder of how the growth of these businesses supported by PFS has far-reaching impact.  

As each client’s business grows, they are generating more jobs, providing nutritious food choices in local markets and creating a sustainable market for local farmers to sell their products. This greater good is something every client called out. They are truly committed to empowering their communities and are motivated by this purpose.  

In addition to this near-term focus, this work also has the potential to support growth for generations to come. There is a significant dearth of college-educated professionals who go into food processing in Africa. By seeing the progress being made in the food processing sector, there is an opportunity to encourage young professionals to consider the field and recruit talent to support this critical work.  

Food security is central to economic, political and environmental stability and achieving it requires an entire ecosystem of partners. While an extensive effort, and an ambitious goal, the ability to improve food security has the potential to change the trajectory of economic development in Africa. It was clear during my time there how far-reaching this impact can be, and how the dedication and entrepreneurial spirit of the clients will help deliver on that potential.  

I would be remiss if I didn’t note that while an incredibly inspirational several days, it was also a sobering reminder that the challenge of lifting so many people out of poverty by creating food security will require much effort and care. But I have seen firsthand that the passion of those committed to taking on this challenge is undeterred and am confident that together we will make continued progress on this critical issue.  

For additional details on Partners in Food Solutions, including how to get involved, visit volunteers.partnersinfoodsolutions.com.