Pohnpei is Featured on Indigenous Food Poster Series

By Amy Levendusky

Pohnpei and the people of Mand Village in Madolenihmw were closely involved in the development of the Pacific Indigenous Food Poster, the fourth in a series by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Centre of Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment (CINE), and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The poster can be found at http://www.fao.org/infoods/index_en.stm. Go to the Biodiversity Section (left frame) and then to the Indigenous Food link (left frame).

Banana, taro, coconut, fish, breadfruit, greens, and pandanus are the seven foods presented on the Pacific Food poster. A wealth of information is presented, including names, number of species and varieties, and cultivar-specific ranges of nutrient content of selected nutrients, in addition to the stunning photos, of which all were taken in Pohnpei and many from Mand.

The other posters in the series so far include the global one (where the State Banana of Pohnpei, Karat, is also presented), and the Africa and Asia food posters. All posters have side sections focusing on the values of indigenous food: exceptional nutritional value, taste, economical, available, and culture. It is hoped that the posters will assist in raising awareness on the importance of biodiversity and the great range in nutrient content among the many cultivars.

Barbara Burlingame of FAO led the development of this poster with technical development and photo selection by Harriet Kuhnlein and Lois Englberger as acknowledged on the poster. Others in the Pacific region contributed information for the poster. The photos were mainly by KP Studios.

A few preliminary hard copies of the poster were received, laminated, and shared with key institutions in Pohnpei. Iris Falcam, heading the Pacific Collection of the College of Micronesia-FSM Library, has informed the Island Food Community of Pohnpei that she has had her copy framed and has hung it with the Pohnpei Banana poster and Pohnpei Carotenoid-rich Foods poster. She said, "I notice ….that the posters are attracting attention of the students."

Many thanks to the agencies involved, FAO, CINE, IDRC/CRDI, Barbara and Harriet for their dedicated work, the photographers and those in the photos, those providing information for this poster, and also Iris and others who are now displaying and using the poster!! We look forward to its use in promoting the many values of local island foods!