IXL Social Enterprise Case Studies Food Security January 2013 | Page 22

Food Security in Urban Slums by 2018

Apply local know-how
Lacking knowledge on local perspectives can be a problem. Beyond understanding local needs
and behaviors, though, local people should also be engaged. They are on the ground and
understand their neighborhood issues much better than outsiders. Often, because they are a part
of the community, local people can create better solutions and innovations stemming from their
own needs.
“What we are trying to do is to create
a social business in Bangladesh, a joint
venture to create restaurants for common
people. Good, healthy food at affordable
prices so that people don’t have to opt for
food that is unhealthy and unhygienic.”
Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Founder,
Grameen Bank & Nobel Laureate

Starbucks is known for creating a coffee drinking experience but has had difficulty penetrating
the Chinese market. To reach more customers, the company’s management team in China has
decided to cater to local tastes and culture by introducing new Chinese-inspired flavors such as
red bean Frappuccinos and Hainan chicken and rice wraps as well as building larger and more
comfortable coffee shops decorated by local graffiti artists.80

Trying New Business Models on
Food Carts

Go beyond the traditional business model

In Jakarta, Indonesia, Mercy Corps, a
development agency, is trying to educate
mothers about health and nutrition.
However, even knowing what the right
types food to eat, mothers continue to
feed their children the same diet high in
sugar and fat and severely lacking in the
right nutrients. The reason: no kitch [