15 - The best social return on investment? The case for delivering micro nutrients during the first 1,000 days of life

Jeff Baikowitz of Motherfood International and Melani O'Leary of World Vision Canada, join us today’s episode. Jeff is the Founder of Motherfood which has developed a particularly interesting model to bring great tasting, low cost, fortified foods to pregnant and lactating moms to address a hyper-critical period for babies and moms known as the first 1,000 days of life. Meanwhile, Melani O'Leary is a Nutrition Technical Specialist with World Vision Canada. In her work, Melani has responsibility for how World Vision Canada's programs are designed and implemented to improve nutrition outcomes for some of the world's most vulnerable people in regions like Latin America, The Middle East, Asia, and Africa.  Jeff and Melani join us on the podcast to discuss the critical importance of the 1st 1,000 days of life and why it potentially represents the best social return on investment one can make, how Motherfood is tackling this issue by working in communities to design fortified foods palatable to local tastes, how it is creating opportunities for women to sell these foods local to improve distribution and provide them an income opportunity, and how World Vision is leveraging its expertise, local presence, and community relationships to expand this model. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Motherfood International, you can check out their website or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

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