The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) today convened a half-day consultative Meeting on Workforce Nutrition Education Program at Mado Hotel in Addis Ababa, with participation of representatives from relevant public institutions, EHPEA member farms, garment industry, and Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC).

EHPEA and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have forged partnership through sub-grant the Workforce Nutrition Education Initiative being implemented under the Workforce Nutrition Project meant to advance workplace nutrition within horticulture and garment industries.

In spearheading and supporting strategic initiatives and interventions to ensure safe and conducive workplaces across its member farms, EHPEA dedicatedly promotes on-site meals and nutritional programs, whereby tangible results have been gained with many farms operating now with standard canteens and dietary awareness.

The Workforce Nutrition Education Initiative aims to strengthen institutional commitment to workforce nutrition by raising awareness, integrating nutrition into workplace policies and systems, and supporting employers’ commitment to improving workers’ health and well-being that significantly impacts business productivity and profitability.

The consultative meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to review the program approach, share experiences, and strengthen collaboration for the successful implementation of workforce nutrition interventions across the two industries.

It featured two presentations: the scope of nutrition education pillars of the Project and the highlight of Nutrition Education strategy for the horticulture industry by EHPEA, and National Nutrition Strategies and Recommendations by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Group exercise was also conducted on assessing challenges and opportunities in the horticulture and garment industries that facilitate the nutrition education.