Teachers’ federation promotes food safety in Taiwan

2014-10-17

A Taiwan crop cultivation project was launched earlier this month by the National Federation of Teachers’ Unions as part of efforts enhancing food safety and supporting the use of homegrown grain on school campuses.

Under the initiative, which is conducted in conjunction with Changhua County-headquartered nongovernmental organization Rejoice Cooperation Group, students are encouraged to grow sesame, soy beans and wheat. Rejoice provides the seeds and know-how, as well as exchanging crops for bread, cookies, flour and noodles.

Rejoice has been running its program aimed at boosting eco-friendly agriculture in Taiwan since 2011.

NFTU President Chang Hsu-cheng said to date, more than 3,500 teachers and students from 100-plus schools nationwide have taken part in the activity.

“Farmers and the ways they cultivate their crops are the best teachers when it comes to food education,” Chang said. “We want to show the younger generations what an incredible and laborious journey it is for staple foods from the field to the table.”

Given the rising number of oil scandals plaguing Taiwan, Chang said the project is taking on greater importance. “What we are doing is sowing the seeds of food safety for tomorrow’s consumers and decision-makers.”

Although Chang has modest expectations for the initial success of many participants in the project, he believes they will learn from any missteps and work harder to fulfill their goals.

“Failure is a great experience and valuable life lesson. But the most important lesson is to know that caring for the land is caring for mankind.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=222917&CtNode=413)