Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group FPSRAG
Type of Organization: Non-governmental organization
Areas of work: Food and nutrition
Region: Global
Country: Australia
Description:
Food Plant Solutions (FPS) creates science-based educational materials, which: • identify highly nutritious local food plants, • explain how to grow them in a sustainable, agroecological way, • detail the nutritional value of the plants and • describe why human bodies require those nutrients. Food Plant Solutions work identifies the most nutritionally rich local food plants and explains the nutritional benefits of them. This information, presented in easy to understand, science-based educational materials, facilitates empowerment of local communities, particularly women, who represent the bulk of smallholder farmers in developing countries. The resources allows people to better understand the importance of their local food plants specifically, their nutritional content and how (and why) to grow and use them. By identifying a range of highly nutritious local food plants with differing seasonal requirements and maturities, it is possible to establish a continuous, nutritious and sustainable food supply. Local food plants are important because they are adapted to their environment, have sound nutritional density, a natural resistance to pest and disease and profound economic benefits for the local community. Partnerships are formed with existing in-country providers who utilise FPS materials to empower people, particularly women, to make informed choices thus enabling them to select their foods according to the nutritional, economic and environmental impacts on themselves, their communities and their natural resources. It is a proven approach: • that will achieve a diverse nutritious diet • promotes agroecological methods • is sustainable • enhances food security and • helps to mitigate climate change With agroecological practices, agroecosystems are protected, restored and improved, and economic and social benefits accrue to the individual, community, region and country. The project intentionally focuses on one aspect of a community’s unique natural heritage – its local food plants. Food sovereignty is very important and should be celebrated. Results from one program partner have seen malnutrition being reduced by between 40-95% in one year, in children. This sort of result is life changing for these children, their families and longer term, for their communities and country. All children deserve the right to not just survive, but to thrive.
Food Plant Solutions (FPS) creates science-based educational materials, which: • identify highly nutritious local food plants, • explain how to grow them in a sustainable, agroecological way, • detail the nutritional value of the plants and • describe why human bodies require those nutrients. Food Plant Solutions work identifies the most nutritionally rich local food plants and explains the nutritional benefits of them. This information, presented in easy to understand, science-based educational materials, facilitates empowerment of local communities, particularly women, who represent the bulk of smallholder farmers in developing countries. The resources allows people to better understand the importance of their local food plants specifically, their nutritional content and how (and why) to grow and use them. By identifying a range of highly nutritious local food plants with differing seasonal requirements and maturities, it is possible to establish a continuous, nutritious and sustainable food supply. Local food plants are important because they are adapted to their environment, have sound nutritional density, a natural resistance to pest and disease and profound economic benefits for the local community. Partnerships are formed with existing in-country providers who utilise FPS materials to empower people, particularly women, to make informed choices thus enabling them to select their foods according to the nutritional, economic and environmental impacts on themselves, their communities and their natural resources. It is a proven approach: • that will achieve a diverse nutritious diet • promotes agroecological methods • is sustainable • enhances food security and • helps to mitigate climate change With agroecological practices, agroecosystems are protected, restored and improved, and economic and social benefits accrue to the individual, community, region and country. The project intentionally focuses on one aspect of a community’s unique natural heritage – its local food plants. Food sovereignty is very important and should be celebrated. Results from one program partner have seen malnutrition being reduced by between 40-95% in one year, in children. This sort of result is life changing for these children, their families and longer term, for their communities and country. All children deserve the right to not just survive, but to thrive.