UPA – Soya
In May 2005, UPAVIM opened a soy foods production facility selling milk and soy masa foods locally and to the children of the UPAVIM school and day care. Dairy milk is relatively expensive in La Esperanza, and affordable fresh soy milk at a low price fills a widespread nutritional need in these communities. We use the pulp of the soy in things like spagetti sauce, veggie burgers, and pancakes at the school to increase the protein in the children’s diets. We are working on getting a contract to supply milk to the local schools. We also just started making soft soy ice cream which is a huge hit in the community! In this way we can increase the availability of high nutrient low-cost foods in the community where we live, improve awareness of family nutrition needs, and expand employment opportunities for local residents.
Special Thanks!
Thanks to onsite technical support from Plenty International and to funds donated by Rotary Clubs in California (Piedmont Montclair club in Oakland, District 5170) and Colorado (Thompson Valley in Loveland) UPAVIM was able to purchase and install all of the necessary equipment to make this happen.