Learn ♦ Grow

A project that helps people in developing countries learn about and grow the best local foods to meet

their nutritional needs.

This Rotary year our International President, D K Lee, challenged all Rotarians to

“Keep the service emphasis on water, health

and hunger and literacy….but to focus your

efforts in each of these areas on children and

reducing the terrible rate of child mortality in

our world.”

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A tangible response to one of his challenges

has emerged from within District 9830.

A project that shows hungry

developing world communities

how to feed themselves with

locally grown foods.

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A project of Rotary District 9830

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Devonport North

In partnership with Food Plants International

Food Plants International

A not-for-profit organisation lead

by founder, Bruce French, who has created the Food Plants

International database

This unique database which includes 18,000 species

represents the most comprehensive scientific information

available on edible plants for all countries of the world.

A Vital Tool

The database developed over 30 years

by Food Plants International provides: Scientific and common names of edible plants

Photos and drawings of the plants

Information on how to grow them

Nutritional information

How each plant can be prepared and eaten

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Aim

To sustainably reduce malnutrition in developing countries and reduce

illness disease and mortality

…caused by nutritional deficiencies.

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Objective

To assist developing world communities LEARN about and GROW, in their own ‘backyard’, the best local food plants that match their nutritional needs.

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Why Many local plants are nutritionally far

superior than ‘Western’ food crops.

Local plants thrive because they are naturally adapted to local conditions.

Wrong plantWrong plant Wrong placeWrong place

Wrong methodsWrong methods Wrong foodWrong food

An “aid” poster!

Cabbage: Wrong Plant - Wrong Place

Many plants have 10 to 100 times the amount of ironiron when compared to cabbage.

But how would you know?

The iron content of just some of the leafy green vegetables found in tropical regions of the world.

Learn ♦ Grow

Protein deficiency is a major problem in the tropical world, especially amongst women, children and the sick. Protein is needed for growth, health and overcoming sickness.

Green leafy vegetables – protein content

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4 timesProtein

8 timesVitamin A

20 timesVitamin C

8 timesIron

4 timesZinc

And it suits the tropics!

Cabbage

Momienh

OR

An example Vitamin C content tree fruits

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How are we going to do something with this?• Solomon Islands • Papua New Guinea• The Philippines• Other

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Measuring success

Adoption of local plant production

Increased levels of critical nutrients in the population

A direct reduction in nutritional deficiencies and disorders

A reduction in infant mortality at age 1 age 1 and 5

…these benchmarks will be monitored over time

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The next step - $100,000+

Deliver the Solomons’ program

Engage a partner

Bring external funding providers on board

Extend this program through Rotary International

Provide an information support base

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Act Directly

It is simple for any club or district to

incorporate LEARN ♦ GROW into existing

or new aid projects – identify the local

nutritional deficiencies in the population

and LEARN ♦ GROW can provide the

information!

Learn ♦ Grow Support Group

$10,000 = ‘Learn ♦ Grow Champion’

$1,0000 = ‘Learn ♦ Grow Ally’

Donation = ‘Learn ♦ Grow Mate’

‘Learn ♦ Grow Team’

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“Not only will nutritional food be more available... but those most at risk will have the DIGNITY of managing their own needs.”

Dr Eileen Gentilcore, RI

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Your help will mean….

Learn ♦ Grow

Rotary CAN makeRotary CAN make a difference.a difference.

Ask today how you can help!Ask today how you can help!

www.learngrow.org