Last month, GCNF President Gene White traveled to Beijing, China to participate in the Fourth Nutrition Industry Forum (NIF). Hosted by the Public Nutrition and Development Center (PNDC), the Forum gathered professionals and experts engaged in promoting the multi-faceted wellness industry. An invitation-only event, speakers from commodity groups, academia and governmental and non-governmental agencies united to present current issues deemed crucial to the advancement of global nutrition and wellness.
Held in the Great Hall of the People from December 7 – 9, 2009, NIF showcased various presentations featuring past presidential economic advisors and experts on biotechnology. White’s presentation, “Campus Nutrition Industry: The Motivation of National Development” explained GCNF’s role in coordinating technical assistance, training, and community involvement to improve sustainable school feeding. Specifically, the presentation cited stable school attendance, enhanced learning, lower drop out rates, and heightened food security as tangible benefits for school children. Countrywide benefits resulting from school feeding include reduced poverty, emerging markets, family food security, healthy and educated citizens, and new employment.
White and GCNF Board Member Stan Garnett were also able to meet with World Food Programme (WFP) and USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) officials at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, where the feasibility of establishing a model school feeding program in Sichuan Province was discussed. This dialogue was a continuation of previous site visits made to Deyang City, Sichuan Province in April and July 2009, where a needs assessment for a pilot school feeding program at six target school sites was conducted. Sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and submitted on November 30, 2009, the “Needs Assessment for Developing Sustainable School Feeding in Sichuan Province, China” study can be viewed in its entirety on the GCNF website.
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