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A Cool Idea from Avnet Taiwan Helps Local Farmers |
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Earlier this year, Avnet Taiwan purchased surplus shakya fruit from local farmers and turned it into delicious, healthy popsicles.
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Avnet X iceSpring shakya fruit popsicles
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Reduce Food Waste, Revive the Agricultural Industry
According to the Council of Agriculture, Taiwan produces around 57,000 metric tons of shakya fruit – also known as sugar apples, custard apples and Buddha’s heads, every year. Typically, about a quarter is exported. This year, with the double whammy of the shakya fruit’s short shelf life, and today’s export challenges, the farmers had a weighty problem on their hands – a surplus of shakya fruit.
When a team of enterprising colleagues at Avnet Taiwan heard of the farmers’ plight, they set their minds to devising a way to help. After brainstorming several ideas, they decided to try their hands at brewing “Shakya Beer.” Despite their best efforts, the beverage was a fizzer and the plan was abandoned after half a year. It was back to the drawing board.
If At First You Don’t Succeed…
Disappointed but not defeated, the team then happened upon the cool idea of making shakya fruit popsicles. After onboarding local iced confectionery brand iceSpring, the popsicles went into production. The majority of the manufacturing process was manual, and the fruits of their labors were outstanding. The finished products contained no chemical additives or artificial colourings – only fresh shakya fruit and juice. The healthy, deliciously refreshing iced treats were packed and gifted to delighted employees.
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Prince Yun with Avnet’s latest innovation - shakya fruit popsicles
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“We are heartened to partner with the local shakya fruit farmers to support them through challenging times, and also contribute to the promotion and consumption of the exotic shakya fruit,” said Prince Yun, President, Avnet Asia Pacific and Japan. “The fruit popsicles are a gift that gives twice. They are a thank you gift to our hardworking employees who, like family, deserve only the very best quality food that is both delicious and nutritious. They are also a gift of hope for our hardworking farmers.”
The popsicles themselves earned rave reviews from Avnet staff. Both innovative and nostalgic, they stirred fond memories of eating iced desserts in summers past.
The shakya fruit popsicle project was a great achievement for the ESG team. It was a win-win-win-win – reducing food waste, providing financial relief for struggling farmers, creating jobs for local workers, and surprising colleagues with a sweet treat.
Heartwarming Gesture, Cooling Treat
The popsicle project continues the ongoing ESG efforts by Avnet Taiwan. In the recent past, staff from all levels of the organization have gathered to clean up beaches and mountains, adopt and tend farmland, help children in remote villages, and even make coasters from reservoir mud.
Congratulations to the ESG team behind this heartwarming gesture and cooling treat. The product was innovative, and the route to market was swift and successful!
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| A Cool Idea from Avnet Taiwan Helps Local Farmers ► |
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