Partner Feature: Food Plant Solutions Rotary Group

Partner Feature: Food Plant Solutions Rotary Group

Food Plant Solutions (FPS) was designed to control and eventually eliminate the effects of malnutrition in the world. Statistics from the United Nations tell us that five children under the age of five die from malnutrition every minute. Education in nutrition is the key source in battling this affliction, and FPS has the knowledge and ability to provide information on nutritious plants in any part of the world. FPS identifies food plants that are potentially important for a country or region, based on their suitability to the environment, high in nutrients and require minimal inputs. The lack of one or more of five critical nutrients gives rise to 95% of malnutrition: Protein, Vitamin A, Iron, Iodine and Zinc.

Food Plant Solutions does not send people in-country but works in partnership with an existing provider in the area that is well-established and understands the people, their culture, and needs. This confidence is necessary if to affect their traditional lifestyle.

For a project area, a publication is produced by FPS that contains 40 of the most nutritious plants available. Each plant has a pictorial description, distribution, use, cultivation, and production methods and food value. A smaller booklet with basic information is provided for the grower. FPS encourages project partners to empower women and children by commencing school gardens, and the success of these will have an on-flowing effect in food security in the village scene.

FPS has access to a database of over 33,000 edible plants collated and owned by agricultural scientist Bruce French, AO. The data is extracted by a team of agricultural experts. Interested partners only need to give FPS information on where the project is and FPS can create the publications as described above. Field trips to determine suitable plants are not required, as the database contains all the required information.

Food Plant Solutions aims to:

• End hunger, malnutrition and ensure food security for all.
• Achieve the above by identifying highly nutritious local food plants and promoting their production using agroecological methods.
• Promote food production practices that help to mitigate climate change.

For more information, visit www.foodplantsolutions.org.