Sharing our Food Expertise with the Global Community

Our Company is fortunate to have the expertise and passion of talented employees who help us deliver high quality products to our customers and consumers across North America. In addition to our work to support those in the communities where we live and work, we believe it is important that we help facilitate business success globally and are proud that our employees share in this belief.

This passion for positive global impact starts with our leadership team. Our own Chief Operating Officer, John Brase, sits on the board of Partners in Food Solutions, an organization that works to strengthen food security, improve nutrition and increase economic development across Africa by linking corporate volunteers with promising entrepreneurs. Through our relationship with Partners in Food Solutions and TechnoServe, we’ve opened up skill-based employee volunteer opportunities to our workforce, allowing our people to share their talents and expertise with companies that work to help provide a secure and consistent food supply for families in Africa.

One example of these efforts is our work with Cado Industries, an expanding fruit and vegetable processing company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that sought guidance in establishing the infrastructure necessary to manufacture fruit spreads for their growing customer base. Dan Dietz, Director of SBA Engineering and TSO, led our engagement and worked with Cado to provide guidance on optimal machinery usage, establish more efficient manufacturing processes and ensure continued food safety, all while being mindful of the limited utilities available in that part of the world.

“Dan has used his knowledge and experience in operations engineering to help us set up our production facility in a way that is efficient and safe, so we can meet the increased demand for our products using the resources we have available,” said Birhane Gebiresilassie, General Manager of Cado Industries. “We’re enthusiastic about the future of our company and thankful for our partnerships with Partners in Food Solutions, TechnoServe and Smucker.”

While Cado has been complimentary of our relationship, our team is quick to note how inspiring the work has been for them.

“Working with Cado Industries has been incredibly rewarding but it has also offered a unique educational experience,” Dietz said. “It has been eye-opening to learn about the logistical hurdles the organization faces and inspiring to see how passionate the team is to deliver amid these challenges. I am excited to continue on this journey and play a small role in the great progress the company is making.” 

We are proud to support the important work of Partners in Food Solutions and excited to continue to collaborate with companies that share in our passion to deliver safe, high-quality food.

For more efforts in support of our Thriving Together agenda, check out our 2021 Corporate Impact Report.