Chilean fresh fruit exporters have come together with their international produce partners to donate fresh fruit to those in need across southern Chile, where communities have been severely affected by February’s earthquake.
Spearheaded by Gustavo Yentzen, the Chilean representative for the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), the initiative has the backing of local exporters Subsole, Exportadora El Parque and International Produce, and is being supported by global logistics company Damco, design agency M. Peña and US-based groups Western Fumigation and the PMA.
“In direct response to the need for food, especially for items that do not need cooking, I have been privileged to spearhead a unique effort with other local industry members to donate fresh but not extremely perishable fruit which is packed and transported to those in need in southern Chile,” Mr Yentzen told Fruitnet.com.
“We’re sending fruits like apples, table grapes and avocados, as well as other products that do not require cooking and can survive some days without refrigeration.”
The first supplies began on 8 March, with fruit and additional items donated by Subsole going directly to the towns of Lolol and other small municipalities, where the homes of approximately 3,400 people have been badly damaged or destroyed.
According to Mr Yentzen, Exportadora El Parque is also donating avocados and International Produce is supplying table grapes. Transportation is being provided by Damco, with logistics costs and further support offered by the PMA.
Design services for the campaign have been donated by M. Peña, Mr Yentzen added, while additional promotional support has come from Western Fumigation.
“It is tragic to see the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami,” explained Nancy Tucker, PMA vice-president of Global Business Development, who recently visited some of the affected areas with Mr Yentzen.
“The contributions from the industry not only help meet the physical need, but are also an encouraging demonstration of the industry’s concern for the Chilean people.”
Separately, Naturipe Farms of Naples, Florida, has established a campaign called 'Our Family Farms Foundation – the Chilean Family Farm Fund' through the support of its employees, vendors and other industry members.
Donated funds will support short-term relief and help the longer term reconstruction work needed to rebuild the communities in which the various farms, packing facilities and the families of people who work on the land are located.
