How to Support Edesia and the Global Fight to End Malnutrition — The DGBM Taylor Family Foundation

There are many organizations and groups that aim to end the malnutrition and undernutrition global crises. Among them is Edesia, a nonprofit that manufactures specialized nutrition packets which are delivered to millions of children around the world who are undernourished children. Taking its name from Edesia, the Roman Goddess who presided over banquets, the organization was founded by entrepreneur, Henry Crown Fellow, and philanthropist Navyn Salem. In 2007 on a visit to her father’s homeland of Tanzania, she discovered the destructive and fatal effects of malnutrition.

After learning about the fortified peanut paste Plumpy’Nut and its ability to treat severe cases of malnutrition, Salem sought out and partnered with the paste’s creators, Nutriset, to broaden its reach and get it in the hands of more children. Now, Edesia provides around 1.2 million of its “miracle packets” every single day. Since 2010, it has nourished more than 11 million children in over 50 countries.

Edesia’s success and impact has been based on the fact that it has been able to simplify the process of treating children who are malnourished while significantly reducing costs. While the typical method consists of lengthy hospital stays, special formulas, clean water and refrigeration, Edesia’s packs are portable and ready-to-eat, allowing volunteers to access hard to reach places and get nutritional food quickly in the hands of children.

Plumpy’Nut is a verified ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), based on the formulation of F-100 milk, and it complies with WHO’s definition of RUTF. Using innovative tools, automation, robotics and advanced process control systems within a 24-hour operation, Edesia are able to manufacture many packets and therefore feed as many children who are malnourished as possible.

How to Get Involved with Edesia and Help in the Fight against Malnutrition

Edesia provides many ways for individuals and groups to support its efforts to fight the global malnutrition crisis. The Impact Tour is a one-hour tour of the factory that shows visitors how Plumpy’Nut is made and distributed. It is a popular choice for school trips and large groups. Edesia encourages those on the tour to donate between $10 and $20.

The Production Tour is an extended version of The Impact Tour with more involvement. It allows visitors to get involved with the process on the factory floor and helping pack boxes. For this experience, visitors (in minimum groups of four) are encouraged to make a donation of $250 each.

Edesia also offers a Test Kitchen Tour, a 90-minute experience that includes The Impact Tour as well as an opportunity to taste test the products. For this minimum-of-four group experience, a donation of $75 each is suggested.

There are also designated corporate opportunities to get involved in Edesia’s work which are great for team building. For a suggested donation of $10,000 for a group of 20, the Corporate Team Building experience will see the group get involved in the factory and prepare Plumpy’Nut for shipment.

The Full Shipment option, available for a suggested donation of $75,000, allows companies to fill a shipping container which will be customized with the company logo. It also includes an appreciation reception from Edesia staff. Another opportunity aimed at corporate groups is the Food Bank experience, whereby groups can volunteer at the Innovation Center and package packets for local children in need.

If you are unable to offer hands-on support to Edesia, there are donation options on the website which can be made in one time or recurring payments. Alternatively, you can purchase Edesia’s MeWe products-available on the website and in stores across the United States-with proceeds going directly to the Edesia nonprofit.

Originally published at on April 3, 2020.