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The inaugural Grow with Purpose (GwP) programme, organised by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), in collaboration with ABR Holdings (parent company of Chilli Api and Swensen’s) and SaladStop!, successfully equipped over 50 participants from more than 25 locally founded small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the F&B industry with the capabilities to integrate Corporate Purpose into their strategy and business operations, and to create positive change while driving sustainable business growth. The programme, which is a part of NVPC’s Company of Good strategy, featured a ‘queen bee’ model with local enterprise-to-local enterprise mentorship and structured learning, and has now been successfully concluded.
Commenced in April 2024, the F&B Edition of the GwP programme introduced participants to how businesses can enhance business value across three of the five impact areas — People, Environment, and Economic — that are highly relevant to F&B operations, through inclusive hiring, waste management, and business model redesign. Highlights of the five programme sessions include experiential visits to The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar where its Food Digester machine recycles food waste into fertiliser; Earle Swensen’s at VivoCity, and APSN Delta Senior School’s training facilities, to witness inclusive hiring and training in action; and fireside chats with industry partners.
Subash Lazar, School Principal of APSN Delta Senior School, which has a longstanding partnership with ABR Holdings, said, “Inclusive hiring is a long-term initiative. When companies provide a supportive environment, employees with disabilities can thrive and make fruitful contributions. Corporate partners like those in the 'Grow with Purpose' programme play a crucial role in creating opportunities for these individuals, empowering them to become active contributors to society. When they do land open employment, it is a game changer for the special-needs students and their families.”
The programme also created opportunities for the participating organisations to develop actionable solutions to tackle the real-world challenges that they face. Through the course of the programme, Edith Patisserie was able to overcome their challenge of identifying roles for inclusive hires by collaborating with APSN to embark on inclusive employment. Ethel Tan, Co-Founder of Edith Patisserie, a participant of GwP, said, “Our goal is to create more structured and supportive roles for diverse candidates, and this programme has helped us do just that. We have since conducted a job trial with a student from APSN, and we are thrilled to have offered him an internship as a pastry chef.”
Charmaine Low, Founder & Director of smol, a participant of GwP, has an action plan for sustainable waste management after the programme, saying, “This has been instrumental in guiding us towards a more sustainable approach to waste management. We are actively working on rolling out initiatives to educate our team on recycling and waste management, fostering a company culture that values environmental responsibility and demonstrates our commitment to a more sustainable F&B industry.”
Said Teo Tong Loong, ABR Holdings Ltd’s Group Business Development Director/CEO of Swensen’s: “We are thankful for the opportunity to have helped companies looking to elevate their inclusive hiring policies. At Swensen’s, giving back to society through our inclusive hiring programme, industry-specific mentorship and sustainability practices resonate deeply with our Corporate Purpose. We hope to continue to support and build a thriving community of businesses that are equipped to meet today’s challenges head-on.”
Said Katherine Braha Desbaillets, Chief Brand officer and Chief Sustainability Officer of SaladStop!: “The Grow with Purpose programme and SME sustainability mentorship experience had been a valuable experience for us at SaladStop!. We have always prioritised the future of the planet through the development of environmentally conscious food, and we are grateful to be able to share knowledge and insights to companies looking to do make a positive impact. We are excited for the future plans that participants have in mind to make Singapore healthier and greener.”
Lin Sufei, Director of Corporate and Industry Partnerships, NVPC, said “The Grow with Purpose programme was conceived with the aim of creating purpose-driven solutions to address industry challenges, and to do this through structured learning and mentorship by key industry players. We are heartened to have had the support of Company of Good stalwarts like ABR Holdings and Saladstop! on this journey. By empowering F&B SMEs with the tools and knowledge to integrate Corporate Purpose into their strategies and operations, we are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and impactful business landscape. We look forward to seeing these companies turn their challenges into opportunities and inspire others in the industry to deepen their social impact over time.”
The Grow with Purpose programme is part of NVPC’s Company of Good strategy, aimed at supporting SMEs to put Corporate Purpose into practice through their business operations. Looking ahead, NVPC aims to expand and deepen this initiative across various industries, through strategic partnerships to tailor future iterations to the specific sectors.
