Java Foods 2017 Case Study

The program, a partnership between TechnoServe, USAID, and Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), aimed to increase the competitiveness of the African food processing sector and expand the availability of affordable and nutritious foods. PFS is a non-profit organization formed by General Mills to link the technical and business expertise of volunteer employees from various companies. Java Foods started as a small distributor of eeZee instant noodles in 2012. With the profits from its quick success, the company purchased a manufacturing plant in Lusaka to diversify into new product development. Java's strategy focused on producing more nutritious foods to contribute to reducing malnutrition in the region. However, the company lacked the technical skills and knowledge to make its dream a reality. SAFE provided Java Foods with the necessary expertise to overcome these challenges. The SAFE team worked with Java Foods to implement Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification from the Zambian Bureau of Standards (ZABS). This process involved developing and implementing a Food Safety Management System to meet regulatory requirements. The team also assisted Java Foods in new product development, creating a Corn Soy Blend (CSB) product called eeZee Supa Cereal. The product was fortified with essential vitamins and minerals and was designed to be pre-cooked for easy consumption. The SAFE team's assistance in installing equipment for the production of CSB products resulted in Java Foods saving approximately $37,245. The team's help in designing a factory layout increased efficiency and avoided future processing issues. Java Foods also increased its production capacity from 0 to 13 metric tons and gained access to new markets through radio advertisements and a marketing strategy. The company's products are now sold in large supermarkets, such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay, and Cheers, in addition to smaller shops around town. Java Foods' partnership with SAFE has enabled the company to produce over 300,000 instant noodle packs a month. The company's products are being used in hospitals and school feeding programs due to their nutritious ingredients. Java Foods' products have also reached the shelves of large supermarkets in Lusaka, making healthier and more affordable foods available to all Zambians. The company's success is a testament to the impact of the SAFE program in supporting small food processing companies in Africa.