Page 24 - AWA Vol.41-No.3

FOOD PROCESSING TECHNOLOGy

Tapping into the world’s youth to enhance climate resilience

ne hundred teams of young social impact innovators will
Oreceive grants to develop relevant skills and solutions that
enhance the resilience and sustainability of food systems with
a focus on regenerative agricultural practices, climate change
mitigation and packaging sustainability innovations. The objec-
tive will be to help 500 000 people directly or indirectly.
Building on the success of a pilot launched in Latin America in
2023, which engaged 20 young leaders and benefitted 130 000
community members, Youth Impact: Because You Matter aims to
expand its impact globally and zooming in on the challenges
facing food systems, a topic of high relevance to Nestlé as a food
company.
One notable project from the pilot, Earth-IoT: Conectando el
Campo, used digital tools to improve efficiency, profitability, and ply of raw materials are essential to Nestlé’s long-term success,"
sustainability in Mexican rural areas. This initiative resulted in a said Laurent Freixe, CEO of Nestlé. "We're facing the challenge
50% increase in farmers' income projections, a 40% reduction in of feeding a growing population while addressing the cause
fertilizer usage, and a 30% decrease in water and energy con- and effect of climate change. These are critical challenges that
sumption, significantly lowering the carbon footprint through-
out the agricultural cycle. require decisive actions. That’s why we are supporting young
changemakers in solving them."
Young people today are struggling to find work because they
are lacking the skills that employers are looking for.1 The ag- Youth Impact: Because You Matter will provide trainings and
riculture and food sector has the highest rate of skills misalign- mentoring programs to the grantees that are tailored to their
ments.2 At the same time, young people are showing less inter- needs and priorities. Those trainings will be developed in part
est in farming, while agriculture is also evolving. The increasing by Nestlé's Youth Entrepreneurship Platform (YEP), which will
need to produce food in a sustainable way while at the same also serve as the central hub through the six-month capability-
time ensuring food security for a growing population means building program.
new skills are needed.3 The program aligns with Nestlé's broader Nestlé needs YOUth
This is why Nestlé and UNESCO are supporting youth aged 18- initiative, which has helped ten million young people access
30 in developing and launching business ideas that aim to make economic opportunities over the past decade. It also reinforces
the production, processing, transportation and consumption of the company's long-term commitment to youth as part of its re-
food more resilient and sustainable. At the same time, they hope vamped strategy, which includes support for young people to
to strengthen economies and ensure higher rates of youth em- develop future-ready skills by 2030, to foster the next genera-
ployment. tion of employees, agripreneurs and food entrepreneurs.
"A highly qualified future workforce and a more resilient sup- Circle 29 on enquiry card

Ultrasonic Cutting Machine for Cutting Sweets

ou know how it is when you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, running a bakery or a confectionery
Ywhipping up a batch of your favorite homemade candies, shop, this machine is an absolute must-
fudges, or delicate pastries. They look so scrumptious and in- have. You can quickly and accurately
viting, but then comes the tricky part – slicing them up neatly. cut large quantities of sweets, ensuring
With a regular knife, it can be a nightmare. Soft jellies might get each piece is flawless and getting your
squished out of shape, creamy caramels can stick to the blade customers their orders in a flash.
and tear, and those intricate pastries can lose all their charm with What really sets this ultrasonic cutting
a jagged cut. machine apart is its design. It usually
Well, that’s where our hero, the ultrasonic cutting machine for comes with a comfortable grip, so your
cutting sweets, comes to the rescue. This nifty gadget is a game- hand doesn’t tire even after multiple
changer in the world of dessert-making. It utilizes ultrasonic tech- cuts. And cleaning? It’s a piece of cake!
nology to make cutting sweets an absolute breeze. When you (Pun intended.) The detachable parts
turn it on and bring the blade close to your delicious creations, are easy to wash, so you can get back
it’s like a magic wand is at work. The ultrasonic vibrations work to making more mouthwatering sweets
their magic, allowing the blade to glide through even the stickiest in no time. Some models even have ad-
and most delicate sweets with ease. justable cutting settings, allowing you to customize the thickness
For home bakers who love making treats for family gatherings of your slices to match any occasion.
or just to satisfy their own cravings, this means you can now pres- So, if you’re tired of the struggle of cutting sweets and want to
ent picture-perfect slices of your sweets. Whether it’s cutting up take your dessert-serving game to the next level, don’t hesitate
a tray of marshmallow squares for a movie night or slicing a log to invest in an ultrasonic cutting machine for cutting sweets. It’ll
of nougat for a holiday gift, your creations will look as good as be the secret weapon that makes all your sweet creations truly
they taste. And if you’re a professional in the dessert business, unforgettable. Circle 30 on enquiry card

22 Vol. 41 No. 3