This is the group that Jim was talking about at the meeting - they use engineering
students to develop some of their products! m
----- Original Message -----
From: Compatible Technology Intl
To: skan(a)umn.edu
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:02 PM
Subject: Tackling Hunger with Innovation
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"I believe innovation is the most powerful force for change
in the world." - Bill Gates
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Quick Links
VIDEO: KARE 11 Segment on CTI's Founder
Minnesota Public Radio Report on Breadfruit Contest
VIDEO: Nourishing the Planet Blog highlights CTI
innovations
Blog: CTI Grinders Make a "Profound Difference" in
Haiti
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TACKLING HUNGER WITH BREADFRUIT TOOLS
Breadfruit is a high-carbohydrate fruit that grows in
abundance in tropical nations that struggle with hunger and poverty. Breadfruit has been
long recognized for its potential to alleviate hunger in countries like Haiti, but
there's just one problem: fresh breadfruit rots in 48 hours.
But if poor communities were able to make flour out of
breadfruit, locally produced breadfruit flour could replace expensive imported cereals and
increase food security.
Compatible Technology International (CTI), with help from a
team of engineers, researchers and breadfruit experts, is developing a set of tools that
will allow villagers to process breadfruit into shelf-stable flour.
Shredder
CTI has designed a manually-operated shredder that shreds
breadfruit into small strips that are optimally shaped for quick drying. Engineers at CTI
and the University of Saint Thomas (UST) reached the current shredder design after testing
other concepts with communities in Haiti.
Drier
After they are shredded, the breadfruit strips must be dried
quickly to prevent spoiling. To source the best technologies for this crucial step, UST
recently organized and judged a contest challenging teams to develop a simple, effective
and affordable breadfruit drying structure.
The first place winner of the contest is a team of long-time
CTI volunteers, and second place is a team from the University of California, Davis. In
March, both teams will travel to Hawaii to present their designs at the Breadfruit
Institute, a division of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.
Grinder
Once dried, breadfruit strips can easily be ground into
flour by villagers using CTI's grinder. The breadfruit processing system will go
through rigorous tests at the Breadfruit Institute before being deployed in the Caribbean.
Breadfruit flour could be an important microenterprise
opportunity and an untapped source of nutrition for food insecure communities. With your
help, we can get these and other innovations into the hands of the communities that need
them.
GET TO KNOW CTI BETTER
We have scheduled a "Get to Know CTI" session on
Tuesday, February 28 from 6:30-8PM. We encourage you to spread the word to friends, family
and coworkers who may be interested in learning about our work and mission. This event
will give them a chance to ask questions about CTI, tour our workshop and technology
displays and to have an opportunity to grind some corn and process pearl millet. Please
email Nancy (nancy(a)compatibletechnology.org) and let her know if you are able to join us
for the session. Snacks and beverages will be served.
Compatible Technology International
For 30 years, nonprofit Compatible Technology International
(CTI) has been creating practical food and water tools for the developing world. By
helping communities produce food more efficiently and effectively, CTI offers the
world's poorest populations sustainable pathways to economic freedom. For more
information about CTI, visit
www.compatibletechnology.org.
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