Hatching noble idea to feed needy

(From left) CP Malaysia assistant vice-president Chalothon Nueanim, Dr Sakda, Zenxin Agriculture director Tai Kok Khong, Mohd Syazwan, Ceva Animal Health Malaysia area director Dr Amanda Lim, Ong, Liang Kee Farming managing director Tan Leng Yee and general manager Jimmy Lee at the TLFP warehouse.

THE Lost Food Project (TLFP), together with Ceva Animal Health Malaysia and local poultry producers, has contributed 100,000 eggs to some 56 charities and 7,500 underprivileged communities.

The donation will go directly to low-income (B40) communities and charity homes across the Klang Valley, including Grace Food Bank, Pertubuhan Komuniti Kasih Selangor, Lighthouse Children Welfare Home, Yayasan Chow Kit and IDEAS.

The local poultry producers involved in the initiative are CP Malaysia, Heap Soon Farming Sdn Bhd, Liang Kee Farming Sdn Bhd, Teo Seng Capital Bhd and Zenxin Agriculture Sdn Bhd.

“We are pleased to see our local poultry farmers pull together to not only help communities struggling with food insecurity but also to tackle food waste amid the slump in demand for eggs, caused by lockdowns and border closures in light of Covid-19.

“We are very grateful for this generous donation of nutritious eggs, which will keep more than 17,000 beneficiaries nourished during this difficult time, ” said TLFP general manager Mohd Syazwan.

The local poultry industry saw record sales with a demand surge due to panic-buying during the initial weeks of the movement control order (MCO).

However, the industry was upended when Singapore went into a “circuit breaker” in April 2020. Egg distribution from poultry farms to the republic plunged or completely ground to a halt.

With foot traffic and sales at record lows, food service players were forced to dispose of expired ingredients and buy less from their suppliers.

As a result, poultry farmers and suppliers who had been selling their products to restaurants and hotels suddenly found themselves grappling with excess supplies and were forced to discard thousands of eggs.

“Eggs are a staple for a healthy and balanced diet, and especially important in times of crisis.

“We want to remind people about this fundamental source of protein and extend access to as many people in our community while helping our local poultry industry, ” said CP Malaysia senior vice-president Dr Sakda Aunsiam.

To preserve the livelihoods of farmers in confronting Covid-19, Malaysians are encouraged to consume more eggs as an affordable source of protein.

Packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals for only 70 calories per egg, they contain antioxidants that help prevent vision loss, and choline, an essential nutrient that contributes to foetal brain development and adult brain function.

“It is important to band together as a company or individual to successfully emerge on the other side of this pandemic.

“We are pleased to work hand in hand with TLFP, Ceva Animal Health Malaysia and other local poultry farmers to ensure vulnerable groups are getting adequate nutrition and are not left behind during these challenging times, ” said Heap Soon Farming executive director Ong Soon Ping.