Food and Nutrition

Discussion Stream Notes

The ultimate goal of the Food & Nutrition Group's work is to get refugees to feed themselves. It is important to achieve self-sufficiency before "the next emergency" forces support agencies to redirect their efforts.

1. 'Knowledge Scoop'

A "self-feeding" camp starts with good knowledge. Assessments are possibly the most effective way to determine the ecological best fit for the camp, considering resources, constraints, requirements and relationships. A high quality initial assessment is vital. The Food and Nutrition Group therefore recommended a "holistic, comprehensive, integrated, multi-agency and full cycle response assessment" process, which they dubbed the "knowledge scoop. " Both local and outside experts would perform assessment, possibly with assistance from the refugees themselves. It would create a "virtual guild" of expertise for sustainable relief by considering such things as topography, hydrology, traditional agricultural methods, capacity, human capital, coping skills, regional context, and diet. The Scoop provides the best information on the best long-term responses to meeting refugee food needs, guarding against donor fatigue, mitigating environmental damage and supporting self-sufficiency.

2. EcoAction Team (E.A.T.)

The EcoAction Team coordinates information and implements recommendations coming from the ScoopÛoffering resources and expertise for camp inhabitants. It is drawn from and serves as a resource to multiple relief agencies as well as camp residents. The EAT would be both a group of people and a physical center. Its purpose is to increase camp food production by linking the emergency (Phase One) food delivery system to an evolving food production (economic) system, promoting local food production expertise, helping to turn all camp inputs into resources, and teaching the teachers. The physical delivery point for emergency food becomes a learning and community development point. Along the way the EAT would help to monitor the overall health of the camp and work to improve it, create a food knowledge base and process, promote natural capital, and support camp governance. Support for the development of the EAT concept should come from food aid providers motivated by the potential for long-term reductions in aid flows that indigenous production will ensure.

3. A Box to Save the World

The highlight of the Food Group's projects was the "Box to Save the World." In the Group's vision, all debris flows at the campÛand in particular food packagingÛare turned into soil, seedbeds and other supports for food production, habitat improvement and self-sufficiency. The "Box to Save the World" is the same box that is typically used during the emergency phase to distribute food rations once they reach the camp. The difference is that this box itself can grow into more food. To start their garden, recipients would simply spread the box on suitable ground and add water. It will be manufactured of highly biodegradable material impregnated with seeds of appropriate foodstuffs (or other useful plants) plus mycorrhizal fungi to help the seeds take root. Obviously this strategy will work with every box that reaches the camp. Boxes can be impregnated with seeds and agricultural products to provide a livelihood for refugees and help to reverse environmental degradation. Seeds would be selected from naturally occurring, region-appropriate and season-appropriate plants, including annuals and perennials. Each panel of the box would be printed with simple, graphic instructions on what the box contains and how to use it. This concept integrates well with other educational projects discussed at this charrette. Use of the boxes develops transferable human and physical capital. Creating this "implement" supports cottage industry and is also an excellent possibility for private sector partnering. Charrette participant Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti is already talking to packaging firms about making such boxes.