What's Happening

By Caroline Boden
Director of Shareholder Advocacy, Mercy Investment Services

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger identifies ending hunger and all forms of malnutrition by 2030 and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for everyone. The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI), which advocates for healthier and more affordable food products, released the fifth edition of its Global Index at the end of 2024, assessing how 30 of the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturers are improving access to healthy foods. 

The 2024 Global Index, based on updated and strengthened methodology, noted several key findings since the 2021 edition: 

•    Healthier products, as defined by the Health Star Rating Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) system, account for 34% of sales – a small improvement from the last index, but below the 2030 target of 50%.
•    Some 30% of companies now use internationally recognized NPMs to assess and benchmark the healthiness of their portfolios for reporting and target-setting, which standardizes reporting for investors and other stakeholders.
•    37% of companies established age thresholds for product marketing and are marketing more responsibly to children.
•    30% of companies now have an affordable nutrition strategy.
•    Food product healthiness in low- and middle-income countries scored much lower than high-income countries, highlighting disparities in product offerings across different markets.

The Portfolio Advisory Board will use this data in ongoing engagements with food and beverage companies ranked in the index. For example, an engagement with Campbell’s will address improving the healthiness of the company’s products; benchmarking its portfolios against internationally recognized NPMs to improve disclosure and data standardization; marketing responsibly, especially to children; and improving access and affordability of healthier products. 

Since the 2024 Global Index was released, Campbell’s remains one of the few companies that reports on the affordability of its nutrition-focused foods and overall portfolio. The PAB will continue to engage companies such as Campbell’s to ensure that all consumers have access to quality and affordable healthy food.
 

By Sister Maria Yolanda Manapsal, OP
Chapter Prioress, Our Lady of Remedies

November 4, 2025, Bodø, Norway – The Adrian Dominican Sisters, Our Lady of Remedies Mission Chapter – based in Pampanga, Philippines – recently celebrated their 20 years of mission in Bodø, Norway, just north of the Arctic Circle. 

The mission began in 2005 with the presence of the late Sister Zenaida S. Nacpil, OP,  along with Sister Bibiana T. Colasito, OP, who came the next year. Through the years, other Sisters served in this mission: Sisters Lourdes Pamintuan, OP, May Cano, OP, Romina Bautista, OP, Jenny Fajardo, OP, and Racquel A. Rones, OP. Currently ministering in Bodø are Sisters Alma Zapanta, OP, since 2015, and Salvacion Valenzuela, OP, since 2022.

The Sisters’ mission evolved from domestic work to pastoral and catechetical ministries. They have also served as a comforting presence to Filipino people living in Bodø. Currently, the Sisters engage in evangelistic activity via social media and in education.

The Filipino community in Bodø helped to organize the 20th anniversary celebration with their bavanihan (collaborative) spirit. The celebration drew Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Congregation; Sister Maria Yolanda Manapsal, OP, Chapter Prioress of Our Lady of Remedies; members of the local Filipino community; and Norwegian friends and Co-workers.

The celebration commenced with a Eucharistic Liturgy officiated by the priests formerly assigned to St. Eystein Parish in Bodø, Monsignor Torbjourn Olsen, Father Marek Shelmko, and the current parish priest, Father Reidar Voith.

During the celebration, some individuals gave heartwarming testimonies about how the presence of the Sisters had impacted their faith. Speakers showed their appreciation to the Sisters, many traveling long hours to attend the celebration. They expressed their gratitude and best wishes to Sisters Alma Zapanta and Salvacion Valenzuela, who serve not only as messengers of hope, but as beacons of light in a world that needs more loving presence and service.  

Jessa Marie Acer Artates, a Filipina who came to Norway in 2015, spoke of the difference that the Sisters made through activities for the Filipino community at Mariaklosteret, a local center. Jessa spoke of making friends with other members of the Filipino community, and of forming a sense of family.

The Sisters “never asked anything of us, but they gave us everything that mattered: a place to belong and a space to grow.” She thanked the Sisters who were present to them through the years. “Thank you for saying yes to the calling,” she said. “Thank you for making space not just for God but for us, who became guests, and guests who became family.” 

Community members who attended the celebration offered their time, talents, and treasure for the momentous event. They showcased their talents in singing, dancing, and playing the flute and the piano as their personal contributions to the celebration.

The occasion ended with words of gratitude by Sisters Elise and Yolanda to the people who journeyed with the Sisters for two decades.

 

Caption for above feature photo: Participants at the 20-year anniversary of the Our Lady of Remedies’ presence included, from left, Sister Maria Yolanda Manapsal, OP, Chapter Prioress; Sister Alma Zapanta, OP; Odd Emil, Mayor of Bodø; Sister Salvacion B. Valenzuela, OP; and Sister Elise D. García, OP, Prioress of the Congregation.