Pohnpei World Food Day Shows Growing Interest

By Amy Levendusky

Over 1,000 people attended World Food Day 2005, held on Friday, October 21st, at Pohnpei Agriculture inside of the Botanical Gardens. Activities included a food crop competition, a livestock competition, a cooking competition, an essay/art competition for elementary students and various demonstration booths including the Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP), the Cooperative Research and Extension Services (CRE) of COM/FSM Land Grant, Public Health, and the Public Library. The event was organized by Pohnpei State Agriculture, COM/FSM Land Grant, and the Island Food Community of Pohnpei.

A total of 180 farmers competed in 55 categories with 738 entries in the food crop competition. Welson Peter of Kitti won 1st prize for his Kehp in Penieu (yam). Moses Hedgar of U won 1st prizes for his Kehp in Dolen Wai and his Tomwara (yam). Mr. Hedgar won the most prizes in the crop competition overall. There was an amazing display of bananas with 17 varieties exhibited and a total of 202 entries. Twenty-three bunches of Karat were displayed. Ms. Alsihter Washington of Kitti won 1st prize for her Karat bunch. Mr. Kinewo Eliou of Madolenihmw won 1st prize for his Taiwang bunch. Mr. Nixon Gilimete of Kitti won 1st prize for his Utin Iap bunch. The high value of these yellow-fleshed banana varieties was emphasized by the high prizes ($50, $40, and $30 for first, second, and third prizes compared to $30, $20, and $10 for the corresponding prizes for the common varieties (Utin Ruk, Utin Menihle, and Inasio).

A total of 18 individual participants and 1 group entered the Healthy Cooking Competition which focused on local food recipes. The categories included ripe Taiwang banana, ripe Karat banana, Mwahng (giant swamp taro), Kipar (pandanus), and any local food. The criteria included healthy cooking method (i.e. steamed, boiled, baked, or raw), healthy ingredients (i.e. less salt, sugar, fat), good taste and appearance, written recipe accompanying the dish, local ingredients, and food sanitation. Mr. Samuel Washington from Kitti won 1st prize for his Karat cake recipe. Ms. Pelihda Waltu from Kitti won 1st prize for her Taiwang recipe and 1st prize for her local food recipe. Ms. Ehla Samuel from Madolenihmw won 1st prize for her Mwahng recipe. Ms. Pelmihna Keller from Madolehnihmw won 1st prize for her Kipar recipe. The group Madolenihmw High School Students won 1st prize for their Taiwang recipe and 1st prize for their local food recipe.

Danielle Gonzaga of the Pohnpei Catholic School won 1st Prize in the 8th grade Essay Competition, along the theme "Island Foods: Grow and Eat Yellow Varieties for Health and Wealth." Troy Hadley of Pohnlangas Elementary School won 1st prize in the 5th grade Art Competition, along the same theme.

The World Food Day organizers would like to thank to everyone who participated in World Food Day 2005 and also the following agencies for funding this event: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Australian Embassy, SPC German Regional Forestry Project, New Zealand Aid, the German government, Pohnpei Legislature and Senny's Enterprises.