Ayam Brand™ Marks 125th Anniversary with Charity Campaign Providing 324,000 Healthy Meals For 60 Charity Homes
Four charity homes in Sabah receive two months’ supply of products
Kota Kinabalu, April 26, 2017 - Ayam Brand™, famed for its wide range of healthy and convenient, preservative-free canned products is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a nationwide initiative themed, ‘We Care, We Are Family’. The anniversary celebration coincides with the 10th consecutive Ayam Brand™ Charity Campaign. This year’s charity campaign will reach 60 charity homes in 11 locations across Malaysia and Brunei, providing 324,000 healthy meals for charity.
Over ten years the Ayam Brand™ Charity Campaign has benefitted close to 18,000 people from 422 charity organizations - providing them with 1,080,000 healthy meals!
The sixty charity homes, 57 from across Malaysia and 3 from Brunei Darussalam received Ayam Brand™ tuna, mackerel, kernel corn, processed peas, sardines and baked beans sufficient for daily meals for all residents for two months. Close to 1,800 children, disabled and old folks will benefit from this sustained aid.
In addition to the much-needed contribution of its food products, the annual corporate social responsibility program also introduces new activities every year to keep children engaged, educated and involved to cultivate healthy eating habits and creativity. Among the past activities for children include cooking demonstrations, cooking competitions, cooking workshops and art competitions.
This year’s campaign was made livelier and more competitive with the return of the Ayam Brand™ Junior Chef cooking competition. Themed ‘We Care, We Are Family’, the cooking competition requires teams of two children to prepare, plate and serve a family-favourite dish using Ayam Brand™ products.
The campaign is in-line with the Ministry of Health Malaysia’s efforts to fight obesity by educating and encouraging children to make informed food choices.
In Sabah, the recipients include Bukit Harapan, Rumah Anak Yatim As Sakinah, Rumah Anak Kesayangan Sabah and Monfort Youth Training Centre.
Ayam Brand™ emphasizes the contribution of its sardines, mackerel and tuna products as many charity homes lack regular access to a good source of Omega-3, which is an essential fatty acid that our body cannot produce. Omega-3 may help to prevent coronary heart disease, promote healthy nerve activity, improve vitamin absorption, maintain a healthy immune system and promote cell development. Omega 3 is also important in the development of vision and brain among children.
“Ayam Brand™ is proud that our annual charity campaign has reached close to 18,000 people since its inception a decade ago. We’re delighted to provide those in need with healthy, nutritious food that is convenient and easy to prepare. Through the product contribution and engaging activities conducted at each regional launch, we believe this charity campaign is a good platform to inculcate good lifelong eating habits among the children, in a memorable and fun manner,” added Mr. Wang.
“After 125 years, Ayam Brand™ understands fully that its family of users want ready-to-eat convenience, quick and easy meals, and superior taste; without added preservatives or added MSG. Being a part of Malaysian families, we care about the general well-being of our fellow Malaysians. We hope this healthy culinary heritage can be carried to the younger generation through this charity campaign as reflected in our theme ‘We Care, We Are Family’” added Mr. Wang.
“We decided to introduce the cooking competition again this year as it is an ideal platform to foster the ties and camaraderie between team members among charity homes, in addition to instilling healthy eating habits. The cooking competition also encourages independent skills and self-confidence,” explained Mr. Wang.
Due to current economic conditions charity homes have been facing shortages as donations from corporations and individuals have fallen. Ayam Brand™’s continued support is timely.
Ms. Audra Keyworth, Administrator from Bukit Harapan, who spoke on behalf of the recipient homes in Sabah said that the contribution from Ayam Brand™ was appreciated as it extended the variety of the residents’ regular diet, and was fast and convenient to prepare.
“Donations and contributions are not as high as last year making Ayam Brand™’s contribution a lifesaver for us. The children enjoy Ayam Brand™ products as much as we do because it is healthy and convenient. They have enjoyed this cooking competition tremendously,” said Ms. Keyworth.
“The children enjoy the tuna as it is something different from our usual diet, and we are happy that we are able to provide a healthy option to our usual fare,” added Ms. Keyworth.
