Earlier this week, Courtney and I traveled from Guatemala to Nicaragua to continue our efforts in Central America. We met with our partners, Cargill and the Fabretto Foundation, to discuss current and future opportunities for soy-based solutions to malnutrition in Nicaragua.
Our work in the country began with an early childhood nutrition effort in the Cusmapa area. Partnered with Fabretto, we introduced FortiSoy, a nutrient-dense early childhood feeding supplement.
Fabretto has three entities which are located in the United States, Nicaragua, and Spain. They all share one mission- to enable impoverished Nicaraguan children and their families to break the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential. FortiSoy allows infants and young children in Nicaragua to get the nutrition they need at the time in their lives that they need it the most, building a healthy and strong foundation for their well being in the future.
We are now looking forward to discussing school feeding and nutrition education opportunities targeted at areas that can still benefit from increased knowledge and improved nutrition with Cargill.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Friday, May 27, 2011
Meeting with the First Lady of Honduras
Vijaya Jain and I traveled to Miami to meet with with First Lady of Honduras, Rosa Elena de Lobo, wife of Honduran President, Porfirio Lobo Sosa. Rosa is keen interest in the well being of children in Honduras and this opportunity to meet with her gave us a chance to discuss the recently completed studies we have done in Honduras using FortiSoy, a Honduran-produced micronutrient and soy enhanced supplement for infants and children.
We shared with the 1st Lady, that we have had much success in the area of improved nutrition and acceptability and we are ready to move forward and expand the use of FortiSoy in Honduras in the fight against malnutrition.
Rosa outlined the current efforts and programs put in place by her husband, to reduce rates of malnutrition, especially among children. She also shared her passion for improving the nutritional status of infants and young children under the age of three years of age. Her goal is to set up sustainable nutritional enhancement programs
We look forward to future endeavors with the Honduran government as we work with Mrs. de Lobo to develop nutrition intervention programs that include FortiSoy and health education materials that benefit the children of Honduras.
Warmest regards,
Craig
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Meetings in Guatemala
After spending a couple of days in Honduras, Courtney and I have begun the Guatemala portion of our travels in Central America.
Today was filled with meetings in Guatemala City. We participated in the first committee meeting to follow up on the Corporate Social Responsibility Conference held here earlier this year. It was exciting to see the commitment and innovation the industry has brought to solving the challenge of malnutrition in Guatemala.
As in Honduras, our work in Guatemala is focused on school nutrition and micro-enterprise development, as well as nutrition support with a local pediatrics association. The projects we are involved in here are in conjunction with the Illinois Soybean Association, WISHH, Cargill, and CARE.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Today was filled with meetings in Guatemala City. We participated in the first committee meeting to follow up on the Corporate Social Responsibility Conference held here earlier this year. It was exciting to see the commitment and innovation the industry has brought to solving the challenge of malnutrition in Guatemala.
As in Honduras, our work in Guatemala is focused on school nutrition and micro-enterprise development, as well as nutrition support with a local pediatrics association. The projects we are involved in here are in conjunction with the Illinois Soybean Association, WISHH, Cargill, and CARE.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
SoyCows in Guatemala
While my colleagues Bridget and Courtney began their travels in Central America this week, I was completing mine.
I spent last week working in Guatemala to provide technical assistance and business development training for the proud owners of SoyCows.
I spent several days working with Jeff Sprecher of Mission Impact. Mission Impact is a mission agency that works in rural areas of Guatemala to build schools for children that do not have access to education. I had the pleasure of training the Mission Impact team and their partners at Proximos Pasos, a girls school, on the new SoyCow they are preparing to install.
Training included production of soymilk, operation and maintenance of the SoyCow, tofu and yogurt production, okara usage, and food safety and quality control.
Warmest regards,
Warmest regards,
Nick Scates
Monday, May 23, 2011
Honduras and NSRL: A History of Partnership and Friendship
Hola from Honduras.
Courtney and I are happy to be back in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. We were welcomed with the classic heat and humidity, but also with the wonderful hospitality of our partners and friends here.
Today we met with our local consultant, Carlos Coello, to discuss our programs in Honduras.
NSRL, partnered with the American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), has been creating soy-based solutions for malnutrition in Honduras for over six years. Our projects in the country include early childhood nutrition, school nutrition, cooking with soy, and micro-enterprise development.
FortiSoy is a nutrient-dense complementary feeding supplement designed to provide protein and micronutrients for infants and children in Honduras. It is a shelf-stable and ready-to-mix powder that can easily be added to beverages and food. The powder is made from defatted soy flour, sweet whey, and non-dairy creamer.
NSRL is also working to incorporate soy protein into school lunches. Soy protein is an economical way to increase the protein intake of school children, and it can easily be added to delicious local recipes that kids already love. Providing a lunch at school supports healthy learning and encourages increased school enrollment and attendance.
NSRL provides cooking classes and recipes for teachers and parents of Honduran children, showing them how easy it is to add soy to local recipes. The addition of soy provides extra nutrition to meals, but the flavor of the dishes does not change.
NSRL also helps with soy dairy micro-enterprise development in Honduras. We provide training for the SoyCow-the machine used to make soymilk. These micro-enterprises can partner with local NGOs to help fight malnutrition in their own communities.
It is rewarding to see the impact that is being achieved with the efforts that have been created in Honduras, and we are excited about future work to provide soy-based nutrition solutions in new and innovative ways.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Courtney and I are happy to be back in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. We were welcomed with the classic heat and humidity, but also with the wonderful hospitality of our partners and friends here.
Today we met with our local consultant, Carlos Coello, to discuss our programs in Honduras.
NSRL, partnered with the American Soybean Association's World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH), has been creating soy-based solutions for malnutrition in Honduras for over six years. Our projects in the country include early childhood nutrition, school nutrition, cooking with soy, and micro-enterprise development.
FortiSoy is a nutrient-dense complementary feeding supplement designed to provide protein and micronutrients for infants and children in Honduras. It is a shelf-stable and ready-to-mix powder that can easily be added to beverages and food. The powder is made from defatted soy flour, sweet whey, and non-dairy creamer.
NSRL is also working to incorporate soy protein into school lunches. Soy protein is an economical way to increase the protein intake of school children, and it can easily be added to delicious local recipes that kids already love. Providing a lunch at school supports healthy learning and encourages increased school enrollment and attendance.
NSRL provides cooking classes and recipes for teachers and parents of Honduran children, showing them how easy it is to add soy to local recipes. The addition of soy provides extra nutrition to meals, but the flavor of the dishes does not change.
NSRL also helps with soy dairy micro-enterprise development in Honduras. We provide training for the SoyCow-the machine used to make soymilk. These micro-enterprises can partner with local NGOs to help fight malnutrition in their own communities.
It is rewarding to see the impact that is being achieved with the efforts that have been created in Honduras, and we are excited about future work to provide soy-based nutrition solutions in new and innovative ways.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
2011 INTSOY Short Course
Beginning on June 5 and running until June 10, the National Soybean Research Laboratory is hosting the INTSOY 2011 Short Course, titled Processing and Marketing Soybeans for Meat, Dairy, Baking and Snack Applications. The course is designed for people within soy-related fields, including technical personnel, plant managers and those involved in quality control and research related to soybeans both domestically and internationally. So far, over 50 people have registered to attend. The course provides a thorough knowledge of the soy agriculture and industrial complex, and offers an excellent basis for understanding the nature and characteristics of soybean processing. Participants will receive hands-on experience, practical knowledge about extrusion, texturizing and dairy analogs as they relate to soybeans, and information on global issues related to soy.
For the course, NSRL has assembled experts from academia and industry in processing, marketing and utilization of soybeans for meat, dairy, baking and snack applications. These industry leaders and University of Illinois faculty will give valuable, interactive presentations on various areas of soy research. This offers a great opportunity for participants to gain knowledge and network with soybean experts. Participants will also get to taste-test new and innovative foods that include soy, watch equipment demonstrations and learn about the latest technological applications.
A few more spaces are still available for participants and more information can be found at:
http://www.nsrl.illinois.edu/INTSOY/courses/registration.html
Warmest regards,
Bridget
For the course, NSRL has assembled experts from academia and industry in processing, marketing and utilization of soybeans for meat, dairy, baking and snack applications. These industry leaders and University of Illinois faculty will give valuable, interactive presentations on various areas of soy research. This offers a great opportunity for participants to gain knowledge and network with soybean experts. Participants will also get to taste-test new and innovative foods that include soy, watch equipment demonstrations and learn about the latest technological applications.
A few more spaces are still available for participants and more information can be found at:
http://www.nsrl.illinois.edu/INTSOY/courses/registration.html
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Monday, May 9, 2011
NSRL Inner City Soy Program
The National Soybean Research Laboratory domestic nutrition team has recently established an Inner City Soy Program in Chicago. NSRL and WISHH, with support from Illinois soybean checkoff dollars, are partnering with JLM Abundant Life Community Center on West Jackson Boulevard and are providing the opportunity for community members to expand their knowledge about the nutritional value of soy and enhance their understanding of eating and living well through soy-enhanced foods.
A recent soy cooking and nutrition workshop gave members of the JLM Abundant Life Community Center, as well as organizations affiliated with Haitian immigrants living in Chicago, the chance to participate in hands-on cooking classes featuring local cuisine and favorite recipes that were augmented with soy.
NSRL domestic nutrition team members led the outreach activities that focused on educating community members about purchasing and preparing soy. They gave an overview of the health benefits of soyfoods and introduced the group to the wide variety of soy ingredients, including Textured Soy Protein (TSP), soy flour, tofu and soymilk. The NSRL team also shared tips and techniques for incorporating soy into recipes for sloppy joes, meatloaf, green bean casserole and chili. Adding tofu to fruit smoothies was a unique and appealing way to incorporate soy, a complete, high quality protein containing all essential amino acids, and the participants really liked the taste.
The soy-enhanced foods prepared during the workshop were enjoyed by the group for lunch and discussions touched on additional ways to incorporate soy into existing recipes, acceptability, economic benefits and how and where to purchase soy ingredients.
Not only was the workshop educational, it was enjoyable, and more activities and events are planned for later this year.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
A recent soy cooking and nutrition workshop gave members of the JLM Abundant Life Community Center, as well as organizations affiliated with Haitian immigrants living in Chicago, the chance to participate in hands-on cooking classes featuring local cuisine and favorite recipes that were augmented with soy.
NSRL domestic nutrition team members led the outreach activities that focused on educating community members about purchasing and preparing soy. They gave an overview of the health benefits of soyfoods and introduced the group to the wide variety of soy ingredients, including Textured Soy Protein (TSP), soy flour, tofu and soymilk. The NSRL team also shared tips and techniques for incorporating soy into recipes for sloppy joes, meatloaf, green bean casserole and chili. Adding tofu to fruit smoothies was a unique and appealing way to incorporate soy, a complete, high quality protein containing all essential amino acids, and the participants really liked the taste.
The soy-enhanced foods prepared during the workshop were enjoyed by the group for lunch and discussions touched on additional ways to incorporate soy into existing recipes, acceptability, economic benefits and how and where to purchase soy ingredients.
Not only was the workshop educational, it was enjoyable, and more activities and events are planned for later this year.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Friday, May 6, 2011
An NSRL International Update
The National Soybean Research Laboratory international team is working on a new project in Colombia. Decades of civil strife and widespread poverty have left Colombia with alarmingly high levels of child malnutrition. Over a third of all Colombian children are anemic, while 14% of children under the age of 5 suffer from stunting. Colombia provides a new opportunity and new market for NSRL. The need for protein solutions in Colombia continues to grow, and soy can fill that ever increasing protein gap among the malnourished of the country. NSRL will collaborate to help fill Colombia's growing protein requirements by incorporating soy into local cuisines with a common theme: provide nutrition support for those who face the extreme challenges of malnutrition and chronic disease.
Our international nutrition efforts continue with projects in Kenya, Haiti and India. We are also preparing for a trip to Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua later this month. We will be working on school lunch and early childhood nutrition projects, as well as pursuing follow up efforts from the Nutrition Solutions for Central America conference we organized and facilitated in Guatemala City, Guatemala in February.
NSRL is also providing technical assistance for the collaboration between International Relief and Development (IRD) and Men Sarun Instant Noodle Factory in Cambodia to create 1,000,000 packages of specially formulated fortified noodles in Cambodia. The noodles will be protein-enriched through the integration of 10% soy flour into the standard Men Sarun noodle recipe and called Mee Bompon Sokpeap, meaning "nutritious noodles". The noodles will be distributed to nutritionally deprived areas in Cambodia and sold to institutional buyers in the humanitarian sector for distribution to their customers. The soy-enhanced instant noodle project will include new product samples for local markets to test acceptability and to determine the feasibility of a larger market launch and extensive product roll out.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Our international nutrition efforts continue with projects in Kenya, Haiti and India. We are also preparing for a trip to Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua later this month. We will be working on school lunch and early childhood nutrition projects, as well as pursuing follow up efforts from the Nutrition Solutions for Central America conference we organized and facilitated in Guatemala City, Guatemala in February.
NSRL is also providing technical assistance for the collaboration between International Relief and Development (IRD) and Men Sarun Instant Noodle Factory in Cambodia to create 1,000,000 packages of specially formulated fortified noodles in Cambodia. The noodles will be protein-enriched through the integration of 10% soy flour into the standard Men Sarun noodle recipe and called Mee Bompon Sokpeap, meaning "nutritious noodles". The noodles will be distributed to nutritionally deprived areas in Cambodia and sold to institutional buyers in the humanitarian sector for distribution to their customers. The soy-enhanced instant noodle project will include new product samples for local markets to test acceptability and to determine the feasibility of a larger market launch and extensive product roll out.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Preview of Growing Season 2011
Everyone at the National Soybean Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois is busy this Spring with activities and programs related to research, outreach and education. The first part of 2011 has been filled with planning, preparation and proposals as we look for new and innovative soybean programs, technology and techniques regarding production, nutrition and international development.
We, of course, are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, as recent wet weather is raising concerns about planting delays, potentially leading to questions on whether to plant corn or soybeans on farmland that was scheduled to be planted corn. Using current commodity prices and costs, switching to more soybeans seems several weeks away. For northern and central Illinois, corn is projected to be more profitable than soybeans through May. In southern Illinois, corn is projected to be more profitable than soybeans through the last part of May. The record-breaking rainfall of April has certainly put a damper on breaking any records for getting in the fields early.
Since fieldwork is waiting for the sun to shine and ground to dry out, we are seeing a flurry of paperwork being submitted for the 2011 Illinois Soybean Association Yield Challenge as the deadline is fast approaching for entering teams for this year's growing season. The NSRL production team is working closely with the Illinois Soybean Association and colleagues at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences department to sign up more than 40 teams. The second year of this program is gearing up to provide some exciting yield results.
We are cognizant that summer precipitation and air temperature directly influence soybean yield potential. NSRL research and programs related to soil quality, planting date, disease, insects and technological improvements regarding seed genetics, fertilizers and producer management techniques all play an important role in soybean yields. We will continue to look for efficiencies that increase yield and profit for U.S. soybean producers.
Stay tuned for details as planting season 2011 unfolds.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
We, of course, are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, as recent wet weather is raising concerns about planting delays, potentially leading to questions on whether to plant corn or soybeans on farmland that was scheduled to be planted corn. Using current commodity prices and costs, switching to more soybeans seems several weeks away. For northern and central Illinois, corn is projected to be more profitable than soybeans through May. In southern Illinois, corn is projected to be more profitable than soybeans through the last part of May. The record-breaking rainfall of April has certainly put a damper on breaking any records for getting in the fields early.
Since fieldwork is waiting for the sun to shine and ground to dry out, we are seeing a flurry of paperwork being submitted for the 2011 Illinois Soybean Association Yield Challenge as the deadline is fast approaching for entering teams for this year's growing season. The NSRL production team is working closely with the Illinois Soybean Association and colleagues at the University of Illinois Crop Sciences department to sign up more than 40 teams. The second year of this program is gearing up to provide some exciting yield results.
We are cognizant that summer precipitation and air temperature directly influence soybean yield potential. NSRL research and programs related to soil quality, planting date, disease, insects and technological improvements regarding seed genetics, fertilizers and producer management techniques all play an important role in soybean yields. We will continue to look for efficiencies that increase yield and profit for U.S. soybean producers.
Stay tuned for details as planting season 2011 unfolds.
Warmest regards,
Bridget
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