SINGAPORE,(PRNewswire)– Just over six months after issuing The Dole Promise to the world, Dole Asia Holdings and its subsidiaries are focusing on both global awareness and immediate action with the launch of its Sunshine for All Fund, a $2 million annual fund that will support global strategic partnerships and innovation in the crucial areas of sustainability, food access and waste.

The fund is being launched in tandem with The Growing Distance, a short film that addresses the critical gaps the company sees as barriers to good nutrition for all.

Startling and ever-worsening global statistics around nutrition are driving Dole’s search for solutions. 

For example, nearly one-quarter of the world’s population is experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity and globally one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. 

By partnering with the talented innovators, promising start-ups, and progressive partners, the Fund will address these gaps of affordability and waste, as well accessibility and acceptability – all driving to fulfil Dole’s Promise and for People, the Planet, and our collective Prosperity.

“We have given ourselves five years to deliver on our ambitious goals and  innovations that can move us quickly forward. Our ambition is  to partner with innovators and to open up opportunities for immense evolution and tangible solutions. This will be a key enabler  to continue to make our business a force for good.” said Christian Wiegele, President, Dole Asia Fresh.

Dole recognizes the need for collaboration with likeminded partners to join in the fight against food injustice around the world. Thus, the company is seeking partners – from entrepreneurs,  start-ups, strategic thinking to social impact enterprises, and NGOs – to bring their expertise in food production, nutritional science, compostable packaging, supply chain, logistics, sustainable agriculture and fast-moving consumer goods, to bear. 

“Our work to bring Sunshine for All during the pandemic reinforced our belief that people will join us when they believe in what we do,” said Barbara Guerpillon, Global Head of Ventures, Dole Packaged Foods and Asia Fresh. “The Fund is our signal to the world that we are open for business and that business is finding, fuelling and fostering innovation, actions and change.”