Illinois Soybean Growers Put Their Soy to Work Against Global Hunger Through Acre Challenge Campaign
January 14, 2010....St. Louis, Missouri.... Illinois soybean growers like Larry Lewis are confident their crop is part of the solution to global malnutrition. That’s why Lewis of Ursa and other soybean growers across the country held a conference call this week.
They are building momentum for the World Soy Foundation Acre Challenge Campaign.
2008-2009 was the inaugural year for the national program. Soybean farmers from 21 states raised $50,000. Lewis and his peers are seeking to triple that amount by the time farmers start planting again this spring.
“The Acre Challenge is an important tool against hunger,” said Lewis. “We can nourish thousands of children with soy and help them grow, learn and lead productive lives.”
The World Soy Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization that can put the value of one acre of soybeans to use against hunger. Forty bushels of soybeans, the approximate national average yield, will make 18,000 rations of soy protein to children and adults in locations ranging from Africa to Latin America to Asia.
“Through the World Soy Foundation, these generous farmers are making a long-term difference in children’s lives,” said World Soy Foundation Executive Director Nathan Ruby who is from Dunlap, Illinois.
Farmer support is particularly timely in light of 2009 reports that a record one in six people in the world is malnourished.
Corporate support is an important partnership to the farmer contributions. Cargill, Natural Products Inc. Soyatech, Sunopta and WhiteWave Foods are all supporters of the World Soy Foundation. Meanwhile many international organizations are ready to work with the World Soy Foundation because they have seen the value of soy protein.
Illinois soybean growers and their peers across the nation, including the American Soybean Association, were instrumental in creation of the World Soy Foundation, a 501c3 charitable organization. The World Soy Foundation works with private voluntary and non-governmental organizations to deliver soy protein and nutrition education to people who need it around the world. Projects sponsored by the World Soy Foundation include complementary foods for children 6-36 months, school feeding programs and nutrition assessment and research services.
To join the fight against hunger and malnutrition with soy and the Acre Challenge, visit Acre Challenge Appeal.
