PROVIDENCE – North Kingstown-based nonprofit Edesia Inc. purchased a new assembly line to aid in the production of its “ready-to-use” foods with the help of a recent donation by Rhode Island-based jewelry and accessories brand Alex and Ani LLC.
With the new assembly line, Edesia, which battles hunger and malnutrition across the globe with its Plump’Nut protein-packed paste, can now reach a total 1.4 million malnourished children each year.
Edesia said that Alex and Ani helped raise the nonprofit $575,000 since November of last year.
Originally, the nonprofit organization reached 800,000 children per year. However, after relocating to its current facility in 2016 and with the addition of the Alex and Ani-funded equipment, 430,000 additional malnourished children can be treated by Edesia annually.
“It has made a huge impact,” said Edesia spokesperson Heidi Reed.
The six-lane assembly line can mix the ingredients, package the paste and shoot out six packages at once.
The price of the assembly line was completely covered by donations from the Rhode Island-based jewelry and accessories business.
Donations made to the nonprofit by Alex and Ani were generated through the sale of the company’s Stellar Love bracelet, part of the company’s Charity by Design line, which is a partnership with 48 nonprofits that raises money through jewelry sales.
The company will hold a private ribbon cutting Wednesday to celebrate the launch of the new equipment, which is expected to streamline RUF production and increase product quantity.
Navyn Salem, founder and CEO of Edesia Nutrition, and Colleen Fugere, vice president of partnerships and brand licensing at Alex and Ani were expected to attend.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
