Launched in March of 2006, Grameen Danone Foods is an example of what's to come in the realm of social business. The venture is a collaboration between the Grameen Bank and the Danone food corporation and so Muhammad Yunus is often considered the face behind the project. The goal is to incorporate the local food needs of Bangladeshi children with job creation and environmental sustainability. A product named Shoktidoi was launched a few month's after the collaboration, in November of 2006, and is a yoghurt that is specialized toward nutritional deficiencies.
John Elkington and Charmian Love of Volans recently cited Grameen Danone Foods as an inspiration for further partnerships in the realm of social entrepreneurship
Contact Information
Grameen Danone Foods website
Corporate Foods Collaborations
Grameen Danone Foods is an Example of What's to Come in Social Biz
Trend Themes
1. Social Business Collaborations - Opportunity to partner with social enterprises to address social and environmental issues while creating business value.
2. Local Food Solutions - Potential to develop specialized food products that cater to specific nutritional needs in local communities.
3. Environmental Sustainability in Food Industry - Opportunity to incorporate sustainability practices and reduce environmental impact in the food manufacturing process.
Industry Implications
1. Social Entrepreneurship - Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating businesses that aim to solve social and environmental challenges through collaboration.
2. Food and Nutrition - Opportunities to develop and market nutritional products addressing specific deficiencies in local markets.
3. Food Manufacturing - Disruptive innovation opportunities in adopting sustainable practices and reducing environmental footprint in the food production industry.