SPRINGDALE, Ark., Sept. 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN ) and World Vision announced today a new partnership to bring vital assistance to small family farmers in northern Tanzania through a new initiative called the Tyson Foods Fellows TM program. The collaboration will integrate Tyson Foods' technical knowledge about chicken production with World Vision's Secure the Future Tanzania initiative to help small-holder farmers build more resilient livelihoods.
As part of their participation in the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, Tyson Foods and World Vision outlined their plans to educate thousands of farmers in the Babati region of the country about best agricultural practices. According to the latest World Food Programme research, more than 40 percent of the Tanzanian population lives with chronic food deficits and many are children.
"I've been to Tanzania and know it's a beautiful country with hard-working people, but I've also seen the devastating hunger there and need for agricultural improvements," said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. "Our initiative isn't about just giving the people of Tanzania money or food, it's about sharing our knowledge and helping them create for themselves a sustainable source of food so they can lift themselves out of the cycle of poverty. We believe it's the best way to help give them a hunger-free world and to provide well for their children."
Tyson Foods will send selected employees to Tanzania to teach local farmers how to raise chickens sustainably for food and income. Teachings will include such basics as best breed selection, keeping water clean, best feed choices, housing and disease management as well as processing, transportation and marketing. World Vision estimates that the project will help educate 2,700 farmers about sustainable chicken production and directly benefit the lives of more than 10,000 Tanzanians. By continuing to share best practices with other Secure the Future participants, World Vision will extend this education to 6,000 additional households, indirectly impacting over 24,000 individuals.
"Nearly 40 percent of the people in Tanzania don't have enough to eat and face food shortages and malnutrition. Yet, the country is full of hardworking small-holder farmers who simply need information and expertise to turn their fields into a rich harvest," said Richard Stearns, president of World Vision US. "That's why we are excited to partner with Tyson. By sharing the knowledge of one of the great food producers in the world, farmers in Tanzania will be able to build the foundation for a sustainable source of food. That's what makes the Secure the Future initiative more than a handout. It is about developing the capacity of local farmers to feed their country and grow their economy."
This is not Tyson Foods' first relief project in Africa. More than four years ago, the company provided technical support to people in northern Rwanda to build and operate an egg farm. The farm began operations in 2010 and is producing eggs for local markets as well as providing a protein source for school children.
"This new project with World Vision will expand our hunger-relief efforts in Africa and empower people living with limited resources, as well as engaging Tyson Team Members to give back in this very meaningful way," said Dave Juenger of Tyson Foods' subsidiary, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., and adviser for the Tyson Foods Fellows TM initiative. "And that's what it's all about--making a real difference around the world."
Please click here for the video release. Follow Tyson Foods Fellows TM program on Twitter #TysonFoodsWORLD @TysonFoods.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN ), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to be involved with son Don Tyson leading the company for many years and grandson John H. Tyson serving as the current Chairman of the Board of Directors. Tyson Foods produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. The company provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. It has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world . Through its Core Values , Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly , provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals , land and environment entrusted to it.
About World Vision
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/press or @WorldVisionNews on Twitter.
About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,300 commitments, which are already improving the lives of more than 400 million people in over 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $73.5 billion.
The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world, and, this year, CGI Latin America, which will bring together Latin American leaders to identify, harness, and strengthen ways to improve the livelihoods of people in Latin America and around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.
Krista Cupp, Tyson Foods, 479-290-5195
