September 2017
To facilitate Tutu’s transition to breadfruit processing, technical assistance and training has been provided by the eminent food technologist Dr Richard Beyer. This has involved a partnership with the Pacific Islands Farmers Organization Network (PIFON), of which Tutu is a foundation member.
Dr Beyer delivered his first agro processing training in September 2017. Following a week of intensive “hands on” training, 14 new “food scientists” emerged from amongst Tutu staff. Using the excellent facilities provided by the Training Centre a whole spectrum of locally grown fruits and vegetable were transformed into food products some of which are of international standard.
Dr Beyer in his report to PIFON following the Tutu training noted:
Excitement was generated when new equipment, funded through PIFON, was commissioned to produce breadfruit flour in large quantities. This is used for partial replacement of flour in baking but will eventually find use as a thickener in a range of future products. Simple demonstrations of jam, chutney and pickle making saw delegates sprint out of the starting blocks to mass produce preserves, chips, chutneys and sauces of all flavours. Not only do these items make good use of fruits and vegetables previously going to waste, transformed into products, they will compete against imported ‘junk,’ drinks and snacks. Those made out of local crops have a much higher nutritional value. Exciting sauces and chutneys made from Tutu’s tomatoes, papaya, chillies will add much excitement to the usual dalo, cassava and vudi and will ensure that important nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A and fibre are added to diets. Cordials and juices have been made entirely from local crops. Such is the interest that there is much anticipation that these wonderful products will eclipse such dietary demons as two minute noodles and the cola range of drinks.
Image 1: State of the art peeler used at Tutu for breadfruit
Image 2: Processing dried chips into breadfruit flour
Image 3: Delicious and nutritious breadfruit bakery products made from breadfruit at Tutu
Image 4: Twenty eight new processed products made from locally grown fruit and vegetables at Tutu in just four days