Gagil elementary school hosted their first health fair teaching the children about personal care, physical activity and healthy lifestyles with a local food focus. Yap Fusion was invited to present their food concept.
Leona, "Lei" spoke to the classes and presented the day's event.She engaged the children with an interactive speech and when she asked how many of them like pizza, pasta and imported flavor all of the students raised their hands with a smile on their face.
We already know that everybody likes pizza - today the kids learned about a healthy alternative.
The kid's were introduced to Yap Fusion's "local pizza" and the concept of fusion food products made from local ingredients as an alternative to junk food - pizza that grows on trees.
All of the food presented was 100% local with the exception of the breadfruit and yam pizzas, which are made with about 10% imported ingredients.
The children were served a slice of "Yap Pizza" from a colorful buffet of healthy local food teaching them responsible consumption choices that taste good and create a brighter future for Yap.
This event was the sum of several organization's efforts, that include the Wa'ab community health center, Gagil sports counsel, the Gagil community health center and Yap Nutrition Counsel.
The women from Gagil village also contributed food and their time to sponsor this event.
Yap has four municipal health centers that are now mobilizing to make these events a regular practice.
The children were given samples of about twelve different local food options from fruit, to salad and soup.
These kids had the same smile on their face that a different slice of pizza and a can of soda would bring, without the health and economic consequences.
Good food that reinforces sustainable lifestyle choices.
The economic benefits of eating local would be a little over the head's of these classes, however it is being introduced as a concept that helps the island's future.
Both yap and breadfruit pizzas were made for the event showing that the concept is seasonal.
There's never left-over Yap Pizza, the compliment is in the aftermath, all that's left to do is the dishes.
