The donations have been sent to Operation Smile in HCMC and Hanoi, Tan Binh District Support Center for Inclusive Education and Development, Women’s Charity Association of HCMC, Blue Dragon, and Maison Chance.

“It is great to see New Zealand’s largest fresh produce exporters finding creative ways to help local Vietnamese communities, especially vulnerable children and women”, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Tredene Dobson said. “The New Zealand Embassy is pleased to show our support to Vietnam by assisting New Zealand exporters to donate nutritious, fresh apples and kiwifruit – just a small way that New Zealand can help contribute to better health outcomes for the communities we are part of. It is through small gestures just as these that we can show the deep friendship between our two countries.”

Joe Nelson, Consul-General and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) Trade Commissioner to Vietnam, said: "New Zealand businesses do not want to simply sell their products to Vietnam. They also want to be socially responsible. It is great to see these seven fruit companies contributing positively to the communities of Vietnam by donating their healthy nutritious kiwifruit and apples. It is a small gesture that I am sure will brighten the day for these at-risk children and women. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the New Zealand Consulate are proud to partner with these companies for the second year. We hope these fruit donations will become an annual event.”

In 2021, several of New Zealand’s top fruit businesses donated New Zealand apples and kiwi fruit to eight Vietnamese hospitals in HCMC. This donation was driven by the New Zealand Consulate and NZTE and was done in conjunction with the ‘Be Strong Vietnam Campaign’ launched by Sống Foundation and the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi.

This year’s donations are made by T&G Global, Golden Bay Fruit, Zespri International, Freshmax Exports, Mr Apple, Bostock Group, and Fresh Fruit Company of New Zealand (Freshco).

PV