Island Foods are Showcased at President's Inauguration

By Dr. Lois Englberger

The Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP) recently showcased rare and valuable varieties of Pohnpei bananas and island food promotional materials at the Joint Inauguration Celebration Ceremonies, for President Emanuel Mori, Vice-President Alik J. Alik, and members of the 15th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), held 16 July, 2007, 9-12 am at the College of Micronesia-FSM Gymnasium, Palikir.

The booth was presented at the section for welcoming over 350 dignitaries, including those from overseas, as well as leaders of all four states of FSM.

Samples of the rare and nutrient-rich Pohnpei bananas provided for tasting included: Karat, the State Banana of Pohnpei, with its rich nutrient content; Utin Iap, the variety with the richest provitamin A carotenoid content; Akadahn; Akadahn Weitahta; Daiwang; and Utin Menihle.

Many dignitaries tasted Karat banana for the first time, expressing that they liked the taste and remarking about the unusual flesh color, some even asking "Is that a banana?"

Some of the promotional materials included complimentary copies of the new FSM Utin Iap postal stamp in the Bananas of Micronesia Postal Stamp series, Island Food postcards, posters, booklets, newsletters, and the Yellow IFCP pen with its message saying Grow and Eat Yellow Varieties and presenting the IFCP website www.islandfood.org.

A recipe, the Three Banana Fruit Salad (see below) was presented for tasting. Many tried this, including His Excellency President Emanuel Mori, who agreed about the many values of local foods, including the benefits for food security, health, economics, environment, and culture.

Members of the IFCP team assisting in the booth included: Gailliard Eliou, Sylvia Nennis, Gloryulla Ludwig, Himena Paul, Dr. Lois Englberger, and Laura Kaufer, collaborating research student from McGill University, Canada.

Thanks again to the Committee of the FSM Joint Inauguration Celebration Ceremonies for involving IFCP in this activity, including the Food Committee which especially focused on local foods, complementing IFCP's activities of promoting local island foods. Note is made of the different varieties of taro, other staple foods and locally grown fruits that were presented.

Three Banana Fruit Salad

• 5 raw Karat or 10 raw Utin Iap bananas
• 10 raw Daiwang bananas
• 10 raw Utin Menihle bananas
• 3-5 raw Karertik (Kalamansi) citrus

1. Peel bananas and cut in round slices into bowl.
2. Squeeze the juice of the Karertik citrus in a glass or cup, strain seeds from the juice.
3. Pour the Karertik citrus juice over the cut banana slices.
4. Chill or serve directly.