Nature’s Pride Foundation Expands Sustainable Food Forest Program in Peru
The Nature’s Pride Foundation, together with growers Agrícola Cerro Prieto (ACP) and Hortifrut, is taking an important next step in its food forest program in Peru. After the initial years focused on establishing the food forests, we are now moving into a phase of strengthening and expansion. The program is growing from six to nine schools, while we continue to build the knowledge and skills of teachers and parents so they can manage the gardens independently. At the same time, we are exploring ways to integrate the gardens into the school curriculum in the future. Our shared goal is to give students, teachers, and families lasting access to knowledge about nature, sustainable agriculture, and healthy nutrition.
Over the past three years, more than 1,000 students have received lessons in the food forests, and nearly 3,500 students have enjoyed fruit and vegetables grown in their own school gardens. At schools where there was once little greenery, more than 2,200 m² of food forest has now been created. This work is not without its challenges, and all participants continue to learn every day. At one school, for example, the food forest was lost due to significant changes in school leadership and teaching staff. As a result, valuable knowledge was lost, and cooperation between the school and the community proved insufficient to keep the garden thriving during the summer break. This new phase therefore places extra emphasis on strengthening knowledge and collaboration between parents and teachers.
Our long-term vision is to create a sustainable environment in which students learn about healthy eating and nature, schools cultivate a green and healthy learning space, and communities work together to support these efforts. In doing so, the initiative contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger and Quality Education.
By joining forces with our growers, we demonstrate how long-term relationships within the supply chain can become a driving force for positive change, creating lasting impact in the communities where our products are grown.
