Smithfield Food is on a mission to support Black and minority farmers! The company just welcomed its first family farmers to join its new contract grower program created to support Black and minority farmers as it works to diversify its hog supply chain, per news shared in a press release. Smithfield is leading the charge through a new documentary from the lens of the Martin family, contract hog farmers for the Wayne County, North Carolina-based company. The project will address long withstanding barriers like access to capital and cost of capital for Black and minority farmers and is a part of the $15 million Unity & Action commitment made by Smithfield to level the playing field in food manufacturing, agriculture and education. “Our position as a leading food company and hog producer in America is accompanied by tremendous responsibility to our many stakeholders, including our people and communities,” said Shane Smith , president and chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods in...
A stark reality found in Africa is the fluctuating inflation rate on food items. According to reports, eggs, rice, and beans saw a growth of up to 65% from one year ending in July 2021. Tech start-up, Vendease , is working to provide a solution that will prepare farmers and businesses to remain ahead of the unpredictable economic shifts in the food industry. The ambitious start-up recently raised $3.2 million in a seed round, TechCrunch reports. The round was led by venture capital firm Global Founders Capital and backed by Y Combinator, Hustle Fund, Liquid 2 Ventures, Hack VC and Soma Capital. Interested prospects and local investors Paga CEO Tayo Oviosu, Remita CEO John Obaro, and Magic Fund also tapped in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vendease (YC W21) (@vendeaseafrica) The online marketplace was founded in January of 2020 by Tunde Kara, Wale Oyepeju, Gatumi Aliyu, and Olumide Fayankin to spearhead the purchase of supplies from manufactures and farms to...