CARE Highlights U.S. Corn-Soy Blend as a Tool for its Hunger Fighting Efforts
Soy-based ‘Superflour’ used to permanently defeat poverty from Honduras to Sudan

CARE, the humanitarian organization that fights global poverty, has sent packets of Corn Soy Blend to many of its U.S. donors to highlight how CARE uses this tool in their poverty-fighting arsenal. “Superflour” is what CARE field staff regularly call the product that is made from U.S. soybean flour and cornmeal fortified with vitamins and minerals. CARE asked the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) and the National Soybean Research Laboratory to assist in producing the packets that were shipped with the “A Healthy Future Starts Here” brochure that also shows fields of U.S. soybeans and corn.

“The key ingredient is the soy,” said CARE President and Chief Executive Officer Peter D. Bell in his letter that accompanied the packets of Corn Soy Blend. “Soybeans are packed with protein and nutrients often lacking in poor families’ diets. Soy is nothing short of a phenomenon!”

CARE and WISHH both focus on how to promote long-term sustainable development that ends poverty and allows for economic progress in developing countries. “When you and I work together to bring this Corn Soy ‘superflour’ to impoverished people and disaster survivors, their hunger is quieted,” Bell said. “Their health turns around. And they discover there is hope for a better life, free from poverty.”

“CARE has long recognized the benefits of soy protein in global diets,” said WISHH Director Jim Hershey. “WISHH is pleased to assist these groups in taking additional advantage of the many new high-protein products, like textured soy protein, which are now available and easily incorporated in diverse diets. Our strategy of offering product samples and technical assistance works with the humanitarian community as well as food industries in developing countries that can use soy in businesses that create long-term economic opportunities.”

Photo caption: Ethiopia is one of the countries around the world where CARE says soy is the key ingredient to help families stay healthy today so they can support themselves tomorrow. Photo Credit: 2002 CARE/Marco Longari

CARE is particularly concerned about empowering women in developing countries to improve their own health as well as that of their children. Thousands of lactating mothers have learned from CARE about how they can enhance their own breast milk by incorporating Corn Soy Blend into their diet. CARE’s programs are helping babies get a good start on life. “This is not just good for babies. When older children and adults add Corn Soy Blend to their diet, they finally get the nutrition missing from meals consisting of a single staple like corn or rice,” Bell said. “They regain strength and can concentrate better in school, or even earn a living for their family.”

Along with the samples of Corn Soy Blend, CARE provided recipes that their offices offer overseas and that U.S. recipients could also make in their own home. The Fruit and Corn Soy Smoothie and the Corn Soy Flatbread are just two of the many recipes that CARE has shared with families around the world to help families stay healthy today so they can support themselves tomorrow.

U.S. soybean farmers launched the WISHH in 2000, and the program has since worked in 23 countries. WISHH’s mission is to create sustainable solutions for the protein demands of people in developing countries through the introduction and use of U.S. soy products.

To support CARE and their tax deductible efforts, send checks to CARE, 151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303-2440 or email tlongmire@care.org.
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To learn more about CARE, go to www.care.org
To learn more about WISHH, go to www.wishh.org

Want to Try International Soy Recipes at Home?
The National Soybean Research Laboratory offers these two recipes that are similar to what CARE uses in Bolivia and Ethiopia, but are easy to make with ingredients commonly found in U.S. food stores.

Orange Soy Milk Smoothie

2 cups soy milk
1/2 cup frozen orange juice
1 tsp. lemon juice
Sugar to taste
Ice cubes

1.Combine all ingredients, except ice, in an electric
blender. Blend until smooth.
2.Add ice and blend another 15-30 seconds. Pour into
glasses and enjoy.

Variations: Fresh orange, fresh or frozen strawberry, frozen
concentrated pina colada, fresh banana, crushed pineapple,
coconut powder, fresh coconuts or combination can replace
the frozen orange juice. You may add more or less juice
depending on your preference.

Flat Bread (Chapatti)

1 1/4 cups wheat flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1/2 cup water (more or less, depending on the moisture of
flour)
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Mix the flours and salt in a bowl.
2. Add water gradually into the flour to make firm dough
until dough becomes smooth using an electrical mixer or by
hand. Knead for a few minutes until dough becomes smooth.
Then cover the bowl and set at room temperature for 10 to 15
minutes.
3. Divide the dough into 8 to 10 equal portions and shape
into round balls.
4. Roll out the ball into thin round pieces with a rolling
pin.
5. Heat heavy griddle or fry pan on medium high heat. Place
dough pieces on the griddle and cook for one minute or less
on each side until bread puffs and it is firm to the touch.