Lieutenant-Governor Shifts to Local Food

By Dr. Lois Englberger

Local food, such as breadfruit, banana, and taro, contains rich levels of micronutrients, including provitamin A carotenoids, minerals as iron and zinc, other micronutrients, as well as fiber, which helps protect against diabetes. Rice, on the other hand, contains no provitamin A carotenoids and low levels of essential minerals and other micronutrients.

Jack Yakana, Lieutenant-Governor, Pohnpei State Government, recently shared with the Island Food Community of Pohnpei, about his experiences with local food.

"I stopped eating rice two years ago, and now I feel a lot better. I eat local food when I am on island. When I travel, I eat more vegetables."

Lt. Governor Yakana explained that his daughters Anna Marie (Jonie) and Rebecca Yakana are now eating local food along with him. "At first they didn't really like it. But after a while, they started eating it and now they complain if they don't get it!"

The Lieutenant -Governor said that there are ways of preserving giant swamp taro so that it is convenient and maintains its good taste. For example, large amounts can be purchased, peeled, and frozen. When it is prepared, it should be boiled without thawing. It then maintains its good texture (if it is allowed to thaw, the taro becomes mushy).

So let's go local and let's all eat more local food!