Local and indigenous foods will be on the menu of a two days meeting in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Against prevailing negative attitudes towards traditional indigenous foods – often termed food of the poor – FAO and partners are encouraging a revaluation of forgotten and neglected foods which are often largely underutilized.

Through 41 presentations and 12 food exhibition stalls, scientists and experts from 38 countries will exchange experiences and identify successful examples in Asia of traditional indigenous food diversity – such as medicinal wild plant, forest fruits, sago palm, edible insects, … - and draw up an action plan for improved utilization of these underutilized foods.

The symposium is jointly organized by the Khon Kaen University, the National Research Council of Thailand, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences and FAO.

Invitation to journalists and news organizations

1. Journalists and news organizations are invited to attend the two days meeting on 31 May and 01 June at the Pullman hotel in Khon Kaen - see links for further information on programme, venue and registration.

2. TV filming crews, radio producers and journalists are invited to participate in the field trip on Saturday 02 May to insect rearing and mushroom farms in Mahasarakam and Khon Kaen provinces – see link to the programme for the field trip.

Kindly confirm in advance your attendance at the meeting and/or field trip by contacting the FAO information office in Bangkok. Email [email protected] , office +66 (0)2 697 4124 or 6.

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