Some of PFS' Board of Directors

PFS Forward!

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of activities at the PFS headquarters in Minnesota! We held our board meeting to close the fiscal year, which also marked the end of our three-year strategy of going deeper in support of our clients. We are thrilled to share some of our accomplishments.

  • Increased average duration of client relationship and number of services delivered
  • Diversified and increased ways of engaging our volunteers
  • Expanded our high-potential client base to over 200 food companies across 9 markets
  • Helped high-potential clients increase their revenue growth
  • Successfully completed the Alliance for Inclusive and Nutritious Food Processing (AINFP) program, a six-year partnership with USAID and TechnoServe
  • Created new types of services for our clients to more holistically address their needs
  • Connected clients through networking dinners and executive leadership sessions to foster relationships between processors in the local food markets

We are truly grateful for the generosity of our corporate partners and donors, whose support has helped us expand our program and reach more beneficiaries than ever before. Our prudent financial management has also ensured that we maintain a healthy balance sheet, positioning us strongly for the coming year.

Mandla Nkomo (in blue, center) with some PFS staff in Minneapolis, USA
Mandla Nkomo (center, in blue) with some PFS staff in Minneapolis, USA

Another highlight was a much-anticipated visit from incoming CEO Mandla Nkomo, who engaged with staff, volunteers, and other leaders. He shared some of his insights and what he looks forward to in the upcoming year.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the successes of the past year, we are filled with optimism for the future. Our board meeting reinforced the strength of our organization and the dedication of everyone involved. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing CEO Jeff Dykstra, board of directors, corporate partners, staff, volunteers and donors for their unwavering support. With clear goals and a shared vision, we are poised to achieve even greater heights in the coming year.

General Mills
General Mills, the founding member of Partners in Food Solutions, is one of the world’s leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 150,000 people in 70 countries.
DSM
With a nearly 30,000 strong team and unparalleled capabilities built on more than a century of cutting-edge science, dsm-firmenich is a trailblazer in the reinvention, manufacturing, and combination of vital nutrients, flavors, and fragrances.
Bühler
Bühler is a global leader in the field of process engineering, in particular production technologies and services for producing foods and manufacturing advanced materials. Bühler operates in over 140 countries and has a over 10,000 employees worldwide.
Hershey
The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, PA, is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks.
Ardent Mills
Ardent Mills is committed to transforming how the world is nourished.
Smucker's
Inspired by more than 120 years of business success and five generations of family leadership, The J. M. Smucker Company makes food that people and pets love. The Company’s portfolio of 40+ brands, which are found in 90 percent of U.S. homes and countless restaurants, include iconic products consumers have always loved such as Folgers, Jif and Milk-Bone plus new favorites like Café Bustelo, Smucker’s Uncrustables and Rachael Ray Nutrish.