Launched in 1993, the Nestlé Community Nutrition Award pays tribute and gives recognition to women who implement practical programmes to combat the serious problem of malnutrition within their communities.
From 1993 to 1998, the award was run under the auspices of the Women's Bureau of South Africa. However, when this organisation unfortunately closed down at the end of 1998, Nestlé welcomed the opportunity to run the award under the auspices of Soroptimist International, a prominent international women's organisation with goals and objectives that provide for the advancement of women.
Poverty and malnutrition are very real problems, particularly in rural areas. Through work with and support for many community-based organisations, Nestlé have been exposed to the huge developmental needs of under-serviced communities and the vital role women play in overcoming all the hardships and challenges accompanying poverty. The rebuilding of societies in underprivileged areas can sometimes seem like an almost impossible task, but when people and organisations put enough of their energy and resources together, the seemingly impossible is often achieved.
South Africa has many strengths to be called upon in the rebuilding process, including a rich and abundant resource of human potential and in particular the resourcefulness of women. We believe that South Africans want to know that they have a future filled with hope. They want to know that there are real heroes out there, making a difference. And, indeed there are many such 'heroes' whom we wish to pay tribute to at the annual Community Nutrition Award.
The Award now carries a first prize of R20,000.00 in cash or goods, which will be donated to the winner's project to enable it to expand, as well as the opportunity to visit and learn from NGO's with a track record in development. The winner also receives a certificate of recognition for her wonderful efforts. Prizes of R10,000.00 each will be awarded to two other projects which reach the finals. If a project is judged worthy, a special prize of R5,000.00 will be awarded to one project which is still in its early developmental stages, but which shows great potential for success. This award has been called the "Natalie Stockton Award" after Natalie's sudden death in 1999.
Soroptimists SA and Nestlé run the Nutrition Award project jointly. The prize money is put up by Nestlé while the Soroptimists screen the nominations and carry out the field visits as part of the assessment and selection process. Representatives from each Club are invited to attend the gala award presentation luncheon annually.