Nestlé Nigeria has trained over 2,000 food vendors in Lagos, equipping them with skills to manage and grow their businesses amidst the rising costs of operation.

The training, which was part of the ongoing “Business of Food” workshop series, focused on helping food vendors, including canteens, grillers, and event planners, adapt to the challenges posed by inflation and increasing food prices.

The workshop, which is now in its ninth edition, held in Lagos recently, aims to empower food vendors with the knowledge and tools they need to remain profitable while maintaining a focus on providing adequate nutrition to their customers. The initiative has already reached food businesses in nine states across Nigeria, impacting thousands of vendors in the country’s bustling urban areas.

Business Manager for Nestlé Professional in Nigeria, Funmi Osineye, emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting local food vendors through the initiative.

She stated, “At Nestlé, we believe in empowering food vendors with the right knowledge and tools to thrive in challenging economic times.

By offering cost-effective solutions, we hope to ensure that food businesses not only stay profitable but also contribute to the health and well-being of their communities.”

Osineye added that as inflation continues to drive up costs, many food vendors have been forced to cut back on the nutritional value of their meals in a bid to sustain profit margins. noting that Nestlé’s initiative seeks to address this challenge by providing vendors with affordable, nutritious alternatives to traditional ingredients, ensuring they can continue to meet the nutritional needs of their customers without compromising profitability.

Also, the Managing Director of Food Bizz Support Services, Osaretin Okao, encouraged vendors to explore new ingredients and business practices that could help them remain competitive.

A highlight of the event was a cooking competition, where participants showcased their culinary skills by preparing meals using alternative ingredients.

The PUNCH reported that Nestle’s new CEO lowered sales growth expectations for 2024 and announced a leadership reshuffle on Thursday in what one analyst described as a “painful reset” for the global food giant.