Pohnpei, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), has remarkable plant diversity, supporting a traditional diet of indigenous crops, coconut, and seafood. Recently, however, people have shifted away from this traditional diet and towards a diet consisting of unhealthy, imported, processed foods. As a result, the incidence of nutritional disorders, such as vitamin A deficiency (VAD), has increased. This project adopted the slogans, “Go Yellow” and “Let’s Go Local” as a means to improve nutrition by encouraging the consumption of local foods, particularly those rich in beta-carotene, the most important of the provitamin A carotenoids. The project has had many successes and has resulted in the increased consumption of local foods.

The Problem

The recent shift towards the consumption of low quality, imported, processed foods, and the neglect of traditional food systems, has led to serious problems of overweight, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, VAD, and anemia. Over 70 per cent of Pohnpei adults between 25 and 64 years of age are overweight (with 42.6 per cent obese) and 32.1 per cent have diabetes, resulting in increased health costs. Over half of Pohnpei children between 24 and 48 months old were identified as VAD in a population-based survey.

In addition to posing a risk to nutritional health, this dietary transition is resulting in the loss of agricultural biodiversity, traditional knowledge, customs, and culture. 

The Project

Two slogans were used to encourage dietary diversification in Pohnpei, the first being “Go Yellow.” This slogan focused on encouraging the consumption of yellow-fleshed indigenous crops, like Karat. The second slogan, “Let’s Go Local,” was adopted as a means to promote the production and consumption of all local food. To strengthen the campaign, the “CHEEF” acronym was created to refer to the benefits of local food: culture, health, environment, economic and food security.

In 2005, the Island Food Community of Pohnpei (IFCP) joined a global project on traditional food systems and health, using specific guidelines and led by the Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition and Environment (CINE). A target Pohnpei community in Mand, Madolenihmw, was selected and a three-month documentation of the traditional food system and health problems was carried out, followed by a two-year intervention

Impact

Since 1999, Karat has appeared in the markets and its availability is steadily increasing. Currently, Karat is available in all the local food markets and other food marts that also carry imported food. Local vendors report that their sales have been helped by the campaign.

In 2005, the Pohnpei State Governor proclaimed Karat as the Pohnpei State Banana and in 2010, the FSM President proclaimed that the utilization of local foods is encouraged at all government events and festivities.

Also in 2010, Mand Community adopted a policy that bans serving soft drinks at community functions, followed by similar policies by the Pingelap People’s Organization, and the Kolonia Kosrae Congregational Church. 

Lessons Learned

• Research is needed for project evaluation (e.g. status on local food intake).
• Social marketing tools (e.g. IFCP Go Local t-shirts) attract great interest and provide entry points for discussions.
• Passion and dedication are needed in order to start to change attitudes and behavior.