It started with an idea from one woman, and from that a dream has taken root throughout Uruguay. Nuvo’s partnership with the Logros Foundation is harvesting self-confidence, self-reliance, and teamwork as well as fresh fruits and vegetables across the country.
A program that started in one school is now in place in 377 schools in Uruguay, 25 schools in Argentina, and 35 schools in Brazil. Children, teachers, families, and neighbors are working together cultivating organic gardens. Over 180,000 children have already participated in the program and are enjoying the fruits of the program and acquiring new healthy eating habits.
The seed for the idea came from an incredible woman, Marlene Arrarás, an educational and social advocate, who Nuvo had recognized for her community work. The company adopted her idea for organic garden vegetables at schools and implemented it at one school. Soon, other schools were calling. In an effort to reach as many as possible, Nuvo reached a unique and significant agreement with Uruguay’s Education Ministry which allowed the company to work directly with the public schools. By 2001, the program was so big that Nuvo decided that a separate foundation be created by third party planers so it could be nourished by additional sources of funding.
Logros Foundation Blooms Logros means achievement in Spanish and it seemed an appropriate name since the gardens were really about achieving on multiple levels. To help nurture the Logros Foundation, Nuvo’s managing director at the time, Alejo Del Castillo, followed his passion and left the company to become chairman of the Foundation’s Board.
“Those who succeeded Alejo in the management of Nuvo Cosméticos shared his passion and continued working on social responsibility programs which had the following beliefs as founding pillars”, says Carlos Sicardi-current Managing Director of Nuvo Cosmeticos, “they must serve primarily the women of our country, they must be easily replicated, and they are implemented through the passion and commitment of our associates, our partner companies and, government and non-profit entities. The term “alliance” is a key factor here. Together we have always been able to do more.”
Ximena Varon, Community Development Coordinator for Nuvo, has visited many of the school gardens. “They are amazing. You see a lot of different worlds together in the school; the students, their teachers, the families, neighbors, and our volunteers,” said Ximena. “The gardens are really a tool to teach different things, some related to education and values and others related to what you can make with your own hands.”
The vegetable gardens are the ideal environment for teaching the importance of encouragement, working in teams, and planning and following through on projects. The gardens also promote conservation of the environment, development of careful production and consumption practices, and encouragement of adequate and sustainable handling of natural resources.
The gardens now provide fresh and healthy nourishment at many impoverished schools. “Without the meals in the school dining room, many poor children would not have this nourishment,” said Ximena. “And even if they normally would think they don’t like vegetables, they eat them because they grew them along with their parents.”
Branching Out The team at Nuvo began to realize that the concept behind the school gardens could grow in new directions. “We started thinking about how we could do something for our sales force, their families and friends that revolved around gardening,” said Ximena.
Nuvó decided to offer the same program to its Sales Representatives, so they could apply it in their own homes. “Women of this Land” was launched in February 2005. “The goals are to promote a better standard of living for our sales reps and contribute to the betterment of their nutritional situation by implementing family organic vegetable gardens,” said Ximena. “In the process, we are raising awareness of how to take care of our environment.”
The most relevant aspect of this initiative is the sense of belonging that it fosters among the sales force. “It is wonderful to see how these women appreciate and later take advantage of this training.” said Sylvia Filippini, Sales Managing Director. “Many of them have found a new source of income-selling organic fruits and vegetables, and it sets us apart from other direct selling companies.
The five-part course is taught by an agronomist and over 800 women from different parts of Uruguay have already participated in the workshops. “We are trying this year and next to cover all of Uruguay with this project,” continued Sylvia. “We feel this is very important because women want to learn and we want women to grow and get better. It is a win-win and we communicate to the community that Tupperware Brands is doing this.”
Also underway with the Logros Foundation is “Let’s Cultivate Uruguay,” a new project with a goal of all Uruguayan families growing a garden at their house, regardless of how much space they have. As Ximena points out, “cultivate” has several meanings beyond preparing the soil since the gardens give families many opportunities to cultivate and care for their neighborhood and environment.
They are looking at other places beyond schools and homes for gardens. When Yolanda Londono, Tupperware’s head of Global Social Responsibility, was in Uruguay, she visited a mental hospital where patients with criminal behavioral problems tended beautiful gardens. “The doctors said this was an incredible way to build people’s confidence and shift focus from their tragedy on to something that can be for the common good,” said Yolanda.
“There is even an organic garden in a supermarket,” said Ximena. “People who work there take care of it so the supermarket can offer fresh fruit.”
In addition to their volunteer efforts, Nuvo supports the Logros Foundation through cause related marketing. A percentage of the proceeds from each “Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse” Tupperware drinking glass sold goes to Logros.
“We are committed to this partnership,” said Ximena. “We have to continue with this project for many reasons, but mainly so that families have healthy food to eat.”
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