ROME — Sovena USA of Rome, one of the largest olive oil companies in the world, has partnered with the Griffiss Institute on the creation and support of their STEM camps and programs in the community.

Sovena has donated to the Griffiss Institutes’ programs for STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The donation will enable the programs to work toward one common goal — to develop the next generations of innovative thinkers by fostering talent and enabling experiences.

Sovena owners said they aim to grow beyond what they are today and preserve what they have always done well. They will continue to produce food with health and the protection of the environment in mind, while actively participating in sustainably fueling the next centuries.

Sovena’s strategy, Feeding Futures for a Planet that Prospers and for People that Thrive is built on their purpose, and compels their constant drive for improvement. It is here that they have made a commitment to engage and energize the local ecosystem. To achieve this, Sovena promotes initiatives and supports projects that foster the local dynamic of places Sovena is located.

“We advance together,” said Tomas Almeida, managing director at Sovena USA. “At Sovena, innovation and education are critical to advancing in the field while remaining environmentally conscious. We can’t think of a better way to protect and care for our earth than by encouraging new generations to carry on the mission.”

The goal of the AFRL STEM Outreach program is to foster a new generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and technologists who will one day discover, and problem solve in the nation’s defense laboratories and other supporting U.S. companies. In order to achieve this goal, there must be a concerted effort to connect business, government foundations, institutions of higher education, professional organizations, schools, teachers and students.

Whether it be mathematics, engineering, advancements in food technology and innovation, or other areas of expertise, supporting the next generation of STEM thinkers is critical to development on a global scale, Almeida said.