Edesia Wins $2 Million USAID Grant to Prevent Malnutrition

Grant will fund production of Nutributter(R) for 100,000 children under two

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Edesia LLC, a non-profit producer of life-saving Ready-to-Use Foods (RUFs), is the recipient of a $2 million multi-year grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

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Under the grant, Edesia will produce more than 300 metric tons of Nutributter^® in 2010, which translates to more than 15 million daily doses. The packets will ensure the proper growth and cognitive development of more than 100,000 children by preventing the devastating effects of malnutrition. The grant was awarded through USAID's Office of Food for Peace through the International Food Relief Partnership (IFRP) program.

"Malnutrition affects 178 million children and results in more than five million child deaths each year. With Nutributter^® and other RUFs, we now have a solution that addresses this silent crisis and allows us to take action during the most critical time in children's lives," said Navyn Salem, executive director of Edesia.

Nutributter^®, a Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement (LNS), is specifically designed for children six to 24 months of age and is one of four RUFs being produced by Edesia. The other products are Plumpy'nut^®, Supplementary'Plumpy^® and Plumpy'doz^®, all of which were developed for the treatment or prevention of the various forms of malnutrition affecting vulnerable populations around the world. Edesia is the only U.S.-based producer of these products.

By providing U.S.-based humanitarian agencies and international NGOs with specifically designed products, Edesia focuses on the needs of children under two and other vulnerable groups, including pregnant or lactating women and people living with HIV/AIDS.

"Edesia is honored to be the recipient of this USAID grant. The partnership provides an opportunity to have a real impact on hundreds of thousands of lives. The recognition of Nutributter^®, a preventative solution, confirms that we are on the right path to more effective and targeted solutions to malnutrition," Salem concluded.

For more information, please visit Edesia's Web site at www.edesiallc.org

About Edesia

Established in February 2009, Edesia, LLC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the production of Ready-to-Use Foods (RUFs) designed to combat malnutrition in the developing world. Based in Providence, Rhode Island, Edesia will begin manufacturing in March. In addition, Edesia will collaborate on nutrition research as well as support local producers of RUF in countries most affected by malnutrition. Edesia is a member of Nutriset's PlumpyField Network (with 11 members in developing countries.) All RUFs produced by Edesia LLC are peanut-based pastes combined with milk powder, vegetable oil, and sugar and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. They have a two-year shelf life and do not need to be mixed with water or refrigerated, making them ideal for use in environments with limited resources.

SOURCE Edesia