Sen. Hon. Ruel Reid (seated left), Minister of Education, Youth & Information and Daniel Caron, Country Manager – Nestlé Jamaica Limited proudly display the signed copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between his Ministry and Nestlé Jamaica Limited .
On Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Nestlé Jamaica Ltd achieved a milestone in their advocacy plans to drive recognition as leaders in Nutrition, Health and Wellness and gain recognition of Nestlé’s contribution to Society (CSV). Daniel Caron, Country Manager, Minister Ruel Reid, Patricio Torres and Keisha Palmer were present for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that signaled their intention to work in a more aligned, efficient and impactful way towards common objectives around the encouragement of healthier behaviours in children. Both are signatories to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The partnership among other things will see the strengthening of existing Nestlé Programmes in schools, including Nestlé Healthy Kids and the various MILO Nutritional and Physical Activity Programmes. The MOU is expected to increase the reach of the NHK Programme from approximately 11,000 children to over 50,000 over the next three years, and will integrate the NHK programme content into the Ministry’s existing Home and Family Life curricula. Through the Ministry, Nestlé Jamaica will also target parents and early childhood institutions to share Start Healthy, Stay Healthy resources.
During the signing ceremony at the new Nestlé Jamaica corporate office, Minister of Education Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid said the partnership is timely, as the ministry is working on developing a comprehensive nutrition policy for the education sector. “This is against the background of us trying to ensure that we instill a culture of wellness, which is embedded in the foundation of good nutritional habits and practices … as well as empower young people to have that lifestyle at home,” he pointed out.
Hon. Minister Ruel Reid shares a light moment with Regional Manager for the Anglo-Dutch Caribbean- Patricio Torres Hoffmann and Country Manager, Daniel Caron following the signing of the MOU at Nestlé Jamaica’s Corporate Office in Kingston, Jamaica.
Daniel Caron, Country Manager expressed delight that NJL and the MOE had come to the table to sign this MOU as it brings into sharp focus Nestlé’s 150 years+ commitment to good food and good life starting with the world’s children. He said, “We have been taking a very micro-approach to serving the nation, but today we are taking the macro-approach to formalize our relationship with the Government and key influencers in the education sector to maximize Nestlé Jamaica’s impact on childhood nutrition.”
Regional Manager for the Anglo-Dutch Caribbean, Mr. Patricio Torres-Hoffmann reinforced Nestlé’s commitment to childhood nutrition beyond just a dollar value; he communicated, “this agreement and signing today aligns with Nestlé’s global commitment to improving nutrition health and wellness by equipping people with information and resources to live a good life.”