TheCable

Olufunso Amosun, the first lady of Ogun state, led government officials, dignitaries, traditional rulers, partners to inaugurate the factory of AACE Food Processing & Distribution Limited in the Ijoko community in Sango Ota, Ogun state on Thursday.

Esablished by Mezuo and Ndidi Nwuneli, the company sources herbs, grains, cereals and vegetables from smallholder farmers across Nigeria and processes them into spices, complementary food and flours for quick service restaurants, caterers, and the Nigerian populace.

Its current product line consists of nine spices and seasonings sold in leading retail outlets such as Shoprite, GAME and Park & Shop.

The company also produces Soyamaize fortified with vitamins and minerals, which is a complete meal and fights moderate malnutrition, moringa and bulk commodities such as bean flour, chili, ginger and soya which are used by noodle, pastry and biscuit manufacturers.

In his opening remarks, Mezuo Nwuneli, the chairman of AACE Foods, reinforced the company’s commitment to working with smallholder farmers across Nigeria.

He said the organisation had partnered with key international development agencies to develop a local supply chain.

“AACE Food collaborates with over 800 farmers and it has the objective of extending its partnership to 5,000 farmers by 2018,” he said.

Larry Umunna, a staff of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), commended AACE Foods’ efforts to address malnutrition in Nigeria and recognised its Soyamaize product focused on addressing moderate malnutrition in the country.

He pledged to support the comapny and other agroprocessors that are committed to promoting nutrition.

Amosun, who was the special guest of honour,  commended the founders of AACE Foods, its board and staff.

Amosun lauded the efforts of the company to engage women and support smallholder farmers in Nigeria.