IRVINE’S brought World Egg Day celebrations closer to the community after distributing more than 3,600 eggs to learners and teachers at Ardno Primary School, combining food donations with lessons on nutrition and healthy living.
The poultry producer marked the occasion on Friday by ensuring that every learner received six eggs to take home, allowing families to share in the celebrations.
The event formed part of the global commemoration of World Egg Day, which marked its 30th anniversary under the theme “Protein that Powers and Protects”.
Beyond the donation, the initiative sought to help children appreciate the value of nutritious food and understand how everyday dietary choices contribute to their growth and development.
Irvine’s commercial executive Joyce Machigere said eggs offered families a practical source of quality protein that could be prepared without expensive ingredients or complicated cooking methods.
“Eggs are also one of the most affordable and easy-to-prepare sources of quality protein we have. A family does not need a fancy kitchen or a long recipe to make a nutritious meal,” she said.
Machigere encouraged learners to take the message home and share what they had learnt with parents, siblings and neighbours.
“Today I want you to be Egg Ambassadors. When you get home, tell your parents, your brothers and sisters, and even your neighbours that eggs are protein that powers and protects,” she said.
Eggs contain protein and nutrients such as choline, vitamin B12, iron and iodine, which play important roles in normal growth, brain development and overall health.
The celebration gave learners an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of nutrition through poems and speeches.
School head Mr Mambodza addressed the gathering, while Irvine’s quality assurance executive Lois Ngonyamo spoke about food safety.
Learners also enjoyed breakfast and entertainment as the school community joined company representatives in marking the occasion.
Irvine’s managing executive director Godfrey Gwainda, in remarks delivered on his behalf by Machigere, said the company wanted the celebration to leave a meaningful impact on the children and their families.
“Today, as we hand over ten boxes of eggs to Ardno Primary School, and every learner walks away with half a dozen eggs of their own, we are not just giving food. We are giving health, energy, and a commitment to the well-being of our community,” he said.
“We hope these eggs will nourish the minds and bodies of our learners, powering their growth, their learning, and their bright futures.”
Gwainda said Irvine’s had maintained its focus on supplying quality protein since its establishment in 1957 by Bill Irvine and his wife.
From its modest beginnings, the company has expanded into a major poultry producer, with annual egg production exceeding 18 million dozen, according to the company.
The Ardno Primary School programme also highlighted the role businesses can play in promoting nutrition awareness through partnerships with educational institutions.
While the eggs provided an immediate benefit to learners and their households, the nutrition lessons encouraged children to think about the importance of balanced diets beyond the annual celebration.
The initiative gave World Egg Day a practical meaning for the Ardno school community, turning a global awareness campaign into an opportunity for children to learn, participate and share nutritious food with their families.
