ITI Walk and Food Fair - 2014:

Expo creates awareness on nutrition

by Sureshni Pilapitya

The 2014 walk and food fair of the Industrial Technological Institute (ITI), in connection with Nutrition Week was held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka and ministry officials were present.

Minister Champika Ranawaka took the lead. President Mahinda Rajapaksa joined the walk near Rupavahini Corporation and later arrived at the ITI premises. The food fair consisted of local food products such as rice, drink, jams and chutneys, local sweetmeats, fruits and vegetables. Students from the Wickramarachchi Ayurvedic University provided refreshments. There were many herbal products such as kanji, including gotukola, velpenela and ranawara, and also drinks such as nelli and wood apple.

The sweetmeat stall displayed food items such as kavum, kokis and mung kavum. There were dairy products such as yoghurt and milk as well.

When asked about the dairy products used and their speciality, they said that when pasteurised milk could be kept for a month without getting stale. The official also informed that no chemicals and preservatives were used. The bee's honey stall also drew crowds. The bee protection association stressed that the local bee products contained no preservatives or chemicals.

The Arthur C Clarke organisation provided information to space enthusiasts. While the rice stall drew a large crowd due to uncommon varieties of rice such as dik wee, Gurusinghe wee and Kahawanu. Chief Chef of the Mount Lavinia Hotel Dr. Pabilis Silva explained the importance of promoting local products.

The ITI exhibition made an impact promoting local food products while raising awareness among the public about nutrition. Preceding the walk a healthy life style concept was emphasized.