Food Plants International Incorporated

Food Plants International Incorporated (FPI) is an Australian Christian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting food security and nutrition through the dissemination of knowledge about edible plants. Established with the purpose of helping communities worldwide, FPI specializes in providing accessible, practical information on local food plants to support sustainable and nutritious food production.

Mission and Objectives

FPI aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition by encouraging the use and production of diverse, locally adapted edible plants. The organisation focuses on transforming extensive scientific knowledge about food plants into user-friendly educational resources that can be applied in various local contexts. Their work empowers aid providers, health workers, nutritionists, agriculturalists, educators, and church leaders to improve food security and nutritional outcomes in their communities.

Global Edible Plants Database

At the core of FPI’s work is its 50-year-old Global Food Plants Database, which documents information on over 31,500 edible plant species from around the world. This comprehensive database serves as a foundation for educational materials and practical training resources aimed at helping people identify, evaluate, and utilize food plants adapted to their local environments.

Activities and Partnerships

Since 1999, Food Plants International has collaborated with non-governmental organizations, community groups, educational institutions, and churches to enhance their capacity to improve local food security. The organisation maintains established partnerships and continues to welcome new allies in its mission.

Among those using FPI’s database and resources are:

• Echo Global Farm (Florida, East Africa, Asia)
• Foundations for Farming (Zimbabwe, India, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Malawi)
• TEAR Australia
• Uniting World (Pacific, Asia, Africa)
• Cluster Agricultural Development Services (CADS) – Zimbabwe
• Churches and schools in Vanuatu and Fiji
• Universities and research farms in Papua New Guinea and Malaysia
• Worldview Centre, Tasmania

These partnerships enable the adaptation and repurposing of FPI’s materials to local conditions, fostering the use of nutritious food plants that grow well in specific regions.

Educational Outreach and Local Champions

FPI encourages local food plant champions to promote awareness and cultivation of nutritious indigenous plants. It provides accurate information such as posters, books, and electronic data to support grassroots initiatives focused on sustainable local food production. The organisation also offers specialized resources tailored for certain African countries and the Solomon Islands.

Organisation Details

Food Plants International Incorporated is registered as a charity in Australia with the Australian Business Number (ABN) 38325823824RR0001. Its activities are headquartered in Tasmania, with a history of maintaining a comprehensive library and information center aimed at translating global plant data into practical knowledge.[1][2][3][4][5]

[1] https://foodplantsinternational.com [2] https://foodplantsinternational.com/plants/ [3] https://hada.org.au/project/food-plants-international/ [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/954dd1df-2daf-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d [5] https://friendsoffoodplantsinternational.com