FEDERAL Express Corporation (FedEx) has announced its community-driven initiative in collaboration with local non-profit Treat Every Environment Special (TrEES) to establish an urban vegetable garden to provide fresh vegetables to low-income communities in Malaysia.
By converting an unused urban space into a thriving vegetable garden, the collaboration will cultivate fresh vegetables that will be delivered to those in need.
Launched with the aim to address the lack of access to fresh and healthy food in urban areas, the four-month programme which kicked off on Aug 18 involved 18 FedEx team members who teamed up to plant, maintain and harvest approximately 6kg of vegetables.
These vegetables, alongside donations from FedEx employees that included essential items such as rice, noodles, cooking oil and spices as well as personal care items like dental care products and sanitary pads, were delivered to beneficiaries.
“Access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right. Our collaboration with TrEES is a step towards ensuring that communities in need can enjoy the benefits of fresh produce,” commented FedEx Malaysia managing director Woon Tien Long.
“This initiative not only supports our commitment to sustainability but also strengthens community bonds.”
Meanwhile, TrEES director Leela Panikkar expressed her excitement over the collaboration, which she described as “transformative”.
“Urban gardens are a powerful way to educate, inspire and feed. This project will not only provide fresh produce but also provide a platform for community education on sustainable practices and nutrition,” she added.
The 1,000-square-foot community vegetable garden in the Klang Valley, established last year through the initial collaboration, has seen over 12 types of vegetables grown and harvested.
FedEx employees will remain actively involved in the programme through a series of gardening activities to ensure a steady supply of fresh vegetables for beneficiaries.
The programme is part of the FedEx Cares global community engagement programme, underpinned by the company’s culture value of “Committing to Do Good.” – Aug 22, 2024
