“Today is a very special day and we decided to mark the day with a unique partnership with the Lagos Food Bank Initiative to demonstrate our value, belief and commitment to creating a more sustainable society for all.” Those were the words of the Head Of Marketing, Olam Agri, Mrs. Bola Adeniji, during the World Food Day outreach in Makoko Community, Lagos, one of the two communities that benefited from the act of kindness, generosity and dedication of both organizations to mark the day of global observance.

Speaking to the attendees of the outreach, the Founder/Executive Director of Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Dr. Michael Sunbola, appreciated the partner organization for yet another impactful partnership to celebrate the day, a day that is set aside to raise awareness about millions of people who lack access to food resources, and the global challenges faced by food systems that vary in different climes, as well as to highlight the importance of nutrition not just as food but also as medicine which undoubtedly guarantees good health and general well-being.

This memorable day started with the food bank volunteers trooping into the warehouse in great numbers after receiving invitations from the food bank and confirming their attendance and participation during the distribution. The packaging of the food boxes and loading of the truck with items for distribution was done seamlessly as these young people worked in unison for a common goal; to alleviate food insecurity affecting families in low-income communities.

Taking place on the 16th of October 2024, the food bank partnered with Olam Agri to nourish families living in Makoko Community, before going to Ajegunle Community to do the same, putting smiles on the faces of beneficiaries of the Temporary Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) of the Lagos Food Bank.

Making a special guest appearance, celebrity Chef T, popularly known as ‘The Diary Of A Kitchen Lover’ to her Instagram admirers, honored the day by being a part of the distribution. Speaking to the media team of the food bank, she said; “I truly support the work of the Lagos Food Bank as I know how important food is in sustaining lives and in staying alive and healthy. I am really happy to be here and this has been a really great experience for me. Personally I will like to see more corporate bodies key into this vision and support more communities in need of food. Happy World Food Day to everyone!”

This partnership was a remarkable success, resulting in an impactful distribution of staple foods and relief items to contribute to the resilience of low-cost communities and families living below the poverty line. With the unwavering commitment of the food bank team and the volunteers, the narrative of food insecurity can be rewritten, especially with the deliberate involvement and collaboration of major stakeholders in our society.