Dole South Africa’s Commitment to Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles

Obesity and malnutrition are two focus areas in schools that are not addressed sufficiently. This is not only a South African trend, but affects children of all ages across the world. It is estimated that in South Africa one-third of African women and a quarter of African men are estimated to be overweight. Furthermore, the World Health Organization predicts that these figures will rise to 41% and 30% respectively in the next decade. Coupled with this upward trend is the lack of resources to educate and follow through teaching methods about a healthy eating lifestyle. In South Africa particularly, not all schoolchildren are privileged to be exposed to such teachings.

These are some of the reasons why Dole South Africa has actively become involved in reacting to this need.

The Building of Partnerships

To achieve its goal of assisting in educating both young and old, Dole South Africa has previously partnered with a Fresh Produce Market and Local Government departments to run programmes in schools to create awareness around the benefits of eating and living a healthy lifestyle. Not only were school children provided with fresh fruit, but they were taught the benefits of eating fresh fruit and living a healthy life style. More recently, Dole partnered with Checkers – a supermarket chain in South Africa – running a similar edutainment programme in preschool, junior and senior schools. The message of creating a healthy lifestyle was the predominant focus, coupled with ideas for regular exercising and the prevention of HIV and Aids.

Dole South Africa is now recognized as a leader in the South African industry as a company that is concerned about the well-being of children and a company committed to living out its claim ‘The best of fruit. Anywhere. Anytime.’