AFRICAN FOOD, NUTRITION AND HEALTH EVENT:

26 June – 3 July 2004

The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), and a number of partners including the National Museums of Kenya, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture are organizing a one-week national event to promote dietary diversity through increased consumption of traditional foods. The event will take place from June 26th - July 3rd 2004 at the grounds of the National Museums of Kenya. This event follows another successful one held in March 2003 at the same venue under the patronage of IPGRI.

This year’s event has been expanded significantly and has the theme ‘Dietary diversity for quality health’. The following are the main events of the forum:
1. A ‘walk for health’ to be flagged off at Uhuru Park at 9.45am on Sat June 26th ’04 
2. 2 day Dietary Diversity Meeting at IPGRI with participants from Kenya Uganda, Tanzania and Senegal. (Mon 28th to Tue 29th June 04)
3. Four days of food exhibitions and sampling (Jun 30th-Jul 3rd)
4. An afternoon symposium for professionals and policy makers (Wed Jun 30th 2pm)
5. A day dedicated to Nutrition and HIV/Aids (Thu Jul 1st ‘04)
6. A day dedicated to Nutrition and the youth (Fri Jul 2nd ’04)
7. A day dedicated to Nutrition and children and mothers (Sat Jul 3rd ’04)

It is believed that consumption of diversified diets, particularly containing vegetables and fruit will increase the likelihood of taking rare nutrients in sufficient quantities. Traditional foods are quite diverse and nutritious and can therefore play that role. Increased consumption of traditional foods will also create markets for rural farmers while improving the health of consumers.

the event is organised by an inter-institutional committee of 12 people.

Organization:

National Museums of Kenya 
Ministry of Health 
Kenyatta National Hospital
Ministry of Agriculture 
Family Concern Inc. 
Utalii College 
IPGRI
ActionAid Kenya
Greenbelt Movement 
KIRDI
KEMRI 
Moi University 
Africa Academy of Sciences  

Support: 

IPGRI 
IDRC Canada 
ActionAid Kenya 
National Museums of Kenya 
H.Böll Foundation


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