31/10/2024 16h22

Selected participants will receive financial support, mentorship from the BRF HUB, and join BRF Institute projects as implementation partners

The BRF Institute, an organization that promotes social impact initiatives, is launching the Zero Waste Challenge, developed in partnership with the BRF HUB, to seek innovative solutions for reducing food loss and waste in the communities where BRF, the owner of brands such as Sadia, Perdigão, and Qualy, operates. Eligible applicants include startups, civil society organizations (CSOs), cooperatives, and nonprofit educational institutions that are duly registered and have been operating in Brazil for at least two years, in accordance with current legislation. Selected participants will receive financial support, technical guidance from the BRF Institute and BRF HUB, and the chance to establish partnerships with local social impact committees. In total, R$ 400,000 will be invested in implementing these solutions. 

The selected projects will be implemented in the cities of Lajeado (RS), Toledo (PR), Lucas do Rio Verde (MT), Uberlândia (MG), Rio Verde (GO), and Concórdia (SC), where BRF has production units. Each project should address at least one of the following thematic areas: 

• Solutions for agriculture: initiatives that support small producers in reducing losses, such as training in best practices, production management, and innovative technologies. 
• Solutions for communities: new approaches to help minimize waste, such as sustainable business models that repurpose food, food redirection, urban harvesting systems, food banks, and more. 

It is also important for projects to operate withinone of the following formats: continuous training, strengthening organizations, network building, entrepreneurship, and income generation. 

Raquel Ogando, Executive Director of the BRF Institute, emphasizes that the Zero Waste Challenge reflects BRF Institute’s commitment to creating positive impacts in the communities where it operates. "By supporting initiatives that combat food waste, we contribute not only to the planet's sustainability but also to people’s well-being. Our goal goes beyond reducing losses; we aim to promote socioeconomic development and strengthen food security in the regions where we work," she adds. 

The selection process will consider differentiating factors, such as having a headquarters or branch in one of the six participating municipalities. Other valued aspects include clarity regarding the risks and assumptions necessary for successful implementation and the establishment of partnerships with local organizations to carry out the project. Preference will be given to startups and organizations led by individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, cisgender women, transgender women, transgender men, and/or people with disabilities. The social or environmental impact generated by the project will also be analyzed, as well as the legacy it will leave for the organization and the municipality. 

About the BRF Institute 

The BRF Institute is BRF’s social arm, dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the communities where the company operates. Created to drive positive impact in areas such as education, job creation, food security, and local development, the BRF Institute focuses on social inclusion and professional qualification. Since 2012, it has stood out for implementing projects aimed at combating food insecurity and fostering sustainable communities.