– In your opinion, what foods should be kept in the refrigerator door?

– What needs to be “separated” during cooking preparation?

Who knows? raise your hand! Whoever answers correctly will get a gift!

The whole schoolyard burst into joy. The arms were raised: me, me. I know the answer!

The bustling scene just took place during the flag-raising session the Monday morning this week, at Van Duc Secondary School, Gia Lam, Hanoi.

On September 18, 2023, more than 600 pupils and teachers joined Dr. Phan Thi Phuong Thao, Project Manager of Safe Food for Growth (SAFEGRO) to interact, discuss and answer fun quizzes about food safety.

Dr. Thao introduced the pupils to the basic principles of food safety. She cited activities relevant to pupils, such as washing hands, storing items in the refrigerator, and identifying signs of properly cooked meat and fish. The information was presented not in a rigid lecture format, but rather explained using simple language. This was combined with easy-to-remember phrases written on maple leaf-shaped handouts (maple leaf is the symbol of Canada), and interactive quiz questions with rewards.

Previously, the teachers had sent the pupils reference documents on food safety (brief lectures, information in the form of stories, videos…) provided by SAFEGRO. The pupils had time to study and learn about the topic. Many pupils answered the questions correctly. Some pupils hadn’t had time to read or watch the animated video about bacteria (video link). When they heard their friends repeat the short and easy-to-remember principles, they also memorized them.

“Because the refrigerator door has an unstable temperature and is easily contaminated with microorganisms from the outside (when opening and closing the refrigerator), we should only store eggs and other foods in sealed bottles” – Phuong, pupil Class 8b answered confidently. The whole schoolyard echoed with applause.

To ensure that pupils have time to remember, think through, and completely change their habits and practices about food safety, after 10 days, the school also organized a competition to learn about food hygiene and safety. There are separate designs for different grade levels: Grades 6 and 7 compete in painting, Grade 8 compete in skits, Grade 9 compete in ringing the golden bell.

In collaboration with the SAFEGRO Project, the school management board identified the most impactful pictures and engaging skits. The chosen items were exhibited and disseminated to parents via parent-teacher groups.

“We greatly appreciate the cooperation of the SAFEGRO project. I hope that pupils will always remember and practice these principles,” said Mr. Dang Minh Huy, principal of Van Duc Secondary School.

The SAFEGRO project respectfully presented the school with a poster stating five food safety principles, as recommended by the World Health Organization: Keep clean; Separate raw and cooked foods; Cook thoroughly; Keep food at safe temperatures; and Use safe water and raw materials. The poster will be positioned in the hallway, a location often visited by pupils, to ensure the message is seen multiple times and improve memory retention.

This food safety education series is a part of the gender responsive food safety community model being supported by SAFEGRO in Van Duc commune.

In total, nearly 2,000 children, teachers, and parents in all schools in Van Duc commune, the Van Duc kindergarten, Van Duc primary and Van Duc secondary schools, have taken part in Safegro’s activities in Van Duc, and their goods will spread the message even further.

Through it, SAFEGRO hopes that all pupils and teachers will become pioneers by raising their own awareness and advocating for food safety within their families and communities. By doing so, they contribute to a healthy and sustainable community.

The SAFEGRO project receives financial support from the Global Affairs Canada. It is executed in collaboration with Alinea International, the University of Guelph, and three Vietnamese ministries: the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In a normal evening, while Phuong was playing with her toys in the living room, her parents came back home after a long working day with a box of fresh guava.

When Phuong saw the box, her eyes sparkled with joy. “Mommy, can I wash them?” she asked eagerly.

Her mom was stunned. She looked at her husband. He was also speechless. They both turned to their parents, who were in the kitchen preparing dinner. They also heard Phuong’s request and came out to see what was going on. They saw their granddaughter standing with the box of guava in her arms, ready to wash them.

They couldn’t believe their eyes. Phuong was their only child, their only grandchild. They gave her everything she wanted, and they did everything for her. They even spoon-fed her sometimes, even though she was four years old and could eat by herself.

But that evening, something changed. Phuong did not eat the fruit right away but washed it herself first. Phuong followed the correct steps to ensure food safety. She smiled as she felt the water splash on her face and hands.

Phuong had participated in the food safety lessons that the Safe Food for Growth project (SAFEGRO) organized for 336 children (190 boys and 146 girls) in 11 classes at Van Duc Kindergarten. SAFEGRO is a project funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International in collaboration with the University of Guelph and MARD, MOH, and MOIT of Viet Nam.

Over 10 days the children learned about the basic principles of food safety and common practices such as handwashing, separating and cleaning food, and how to arrange food in the fridge. Students’ parents were also encouraged to practice with them at home.

When Phuong asked about washing the guava, her mom’s phone notified a message of Phuong’s teacher: ‘Our class has learnt about washing fruits today. I would suggest that parents support them to practice at home’.

The output survey results with children who participated in the program show that more than 80% of children have the 4 basic principles of food hygiene and safety (washing, separating, cooking and cooling), an increase of 20% compared to the initial survey. More than 90% of children correctly practice basic hygiene steps to ensure food safety, such as washing hands, washing fruit, cleaning the dining table, arranging food and preserving food in the refrigerator, an increase of more than 20%. In addition, 22 teachers and nearly 70% of parents of 336 children who participated in the pilot program actively participated in the program and improved their knowledge of hygiene and food safety.

“Participating in the program and teaching the kids made me change my own behavior. I became more careful about storing food in the fridge properly and safely. These practices are very common, but I used to ignore them. Now I think they are very good to follow and share.” Thuy Dzung, Van Duc Kindergarten teacher, said.

In order to maintain the good results, the school board of management intends to integrate the food safety theme into the current curriculum. The school topics for October and November are family and selfcare, which match well with the food safety theme.

A video about food safety is playing for the kids in Van Duc. To watch the video, click on the picture.

Ms. Dao Phuong Lan, Vice Principal of Van Duc Kindergarten, spoke at the meeting to evaluate the results of the implementation of the food safety education program.

The school board of management intends to integrate the food safety theme into the current curriculum.

On a larger scale, SAFEGRO plans to work with the Gia Lam district Bureau of education and training to apply the food safety education program in other schools in the district and, possibly, other schools in Hanoi. In the long run, SAFEGRO expects to work with the ministry of education and training (MOET) for the national application of food safety in kindergarten’s and, eventually, middle schools.

This food safety education program is a part of the gender responsive food safety community model being supported by SAFEGRO in Van Duc commune.

Brian G. Bedard, Director, Food Safety and Animal Health, Alinea International said: “Beside the kindergarten, SAFEGRO hopes to work with farmers, cooperatives, and local markets to engage with key value chain players and the entire community to raise awareness about food safety, change food safety behavior and promote food safety culture towards better public health outcomes”.

Phuong’s story of washing guava inspires the entire SAFEGRO team to hope that she and all children will practice food safety every day, contributing to the development of a robust food safety culture for a healthier Vietnam.

* The character’s name has been changed in accordance with the child protection policy.

The consumer survey employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaires are designed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of consumers, while semi-structured interviews such as focus group discussions and case studies are used to explore the reasons, barriers, and incentives for food safety behavior.

Some initial interviews in Bac Hong reveal diverse views of customers on food safety, such as their trust, affordability, and demand. They also prefer different types of information and channels to receive them.

The survey is carried out in cooperation with the national Institute of Nutrition, a research institution that studies and proposes measures for nutrition and health for Viet Nam. SAFEGRO aims to share the findings of the survey this year and collaborate with relevant partners to promote food safety and food safety culture in Vietnam for sustainable development.

SAFEGRO funded by the Canadian government of CAD 15.0 million is being implemented by Alinea International in collaboration with the University of Guelph in the two largest residential areas of Vietnam, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in 5 years 2021-2025. SAFEGRO works towards the goal that consumers in Vietnam can consume food with guaranteed quality and safety following international standards at affordable prices.

Gender equality means that all people, including men and women, have equal positions and roles, and are given conditions and opportunities to develop their capacities. They can make choices or decisions on their initiative without being constrained by stereotypes, stereotypes, and rigid gender roles. SAFEGRO’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Strategy is committed to creating equal opportunities for all participants and beneficiaries of the Project.

During gender-based value chain survey of vegetable in Hanoi, the project had the opportunity to learn more deeply about the gender roles of men and women in each step of the value chain. Women play an important role in agri-food value chains, from production and processing to distribution and consumption. In the survey areas, in addition to production roles, women are carrying the burden of housework. Women are still expected to have the main role in taking care of both family members and housework.

In the interview, Ms. N.T.H shared that she is the only one person in charge of all the housework (such as taking care of the children, cleaning, cooking for the whole family). Her working time is on average 14 hours/day, from 5 am to 12 pm at night. , and no lunch break. Her husband’s average working time is 11 hours/day, from 7 am to 12 pm, with at least 1 hour lunch break.

She also shared that: “I don’t know what gender equality is. I only know that since the day I got married, I have never been supported at least to wash dish for 30 years. Looking around the neighbors, most of the housework is taken by women. I think housework is not just for men or women. Housework is for both. So, if the Project does anything, I think that the communication for housework should be shared for both men and women. We’re so tired. Sometimes he went home when it was messy, he yelled me immediately, he asked me what I did at home, I said, I work the same with you, who else do you yell at? In conclusion, just bring communicating about GE to men.”

Ms. H’s story is similar with many other rural women. Nowadays, women are playing the dual role: Both participating in production and take the main responsibility of the housework. Gender equality, according to Ms. H’s concept, is probably not something sublime or “hating men”, as people think. Gender equality does not mean that women and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female.

Gender mainstreaming is everyone’s responsibility (including the project leaders, staff, consultants, working teams, and relevant partners at different levels). This is one of the most important principles of the SAFEGRO project. Gender mainstreaming is applied in all activities of the Project. The Project’s Gender Advisors are responsible for providing gender mainstreaming technical assistance as well as promoting gender integration in project activities. Building awareness capacity for the Project members and relevant partners is an important activity on SAFEGRO’s GEWE strategy. All these efforts are aimed to not only bring equal benefits to men, women and disadvantaged groups participating in the Project, but also contribute to the goal of Gender Equality.

We are very proud when all SAFEGRO staffs have completed the E-learning course:” Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)” which implemented by Government of Canada.

About GBA Plus course: https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/gender-based-analysis-plus.html

Background:

Although both women and men have different and complementary roles in food production at the household and community levels in Vietnam, women often play a greater role in ensuring nutrition, food safety, and food quality. Women take the main responsibility for producing, processing, and preparing most of the food for their households and for retailing food products. Women constitute the group that is most vulnerable to Food Borne Diseases (FBDs) (together with infants, small children,  pregnant women, sick persons, the elderly, and the poor). This explains the importance of having women actively involved in all efforts where they can have the potential to influence behavior and improve food safety under the project while ensuring their equal rights and access to resources, technical assistance, and opportunities.

SAFEGRO Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Strategy:

This strategy builds on lessons learned and recommendations provided by the final evaluation of the Food and Agriculture Products Quality Development and Control Project (FAPQDCP) and the findings from a three-week SAFEGRO inception mission in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and several other provinces. It delineates the commitment of SAFEGRO to (a) promote gender equality (GE) and women’s empowerment (WE)along the selected value chains; (b) strengthen the integration of gender equality into SAFEGRO’s interventions; and (c) enhance the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impacts and project sustainability for both women and men.

The Strategy will align with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the core action area of the policy, which will be integrated across all areas.

Strategy purposes:

–      The strategy will assist to create better opportunities for women and girls to become change agents and improve their own lives and the lives of their families and communities.

–      The GEWE Strategy can also contribute to the achievement of Gender Action Plans [1] of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), and relevant agencies.

–      This GEWE Strategy serves as a guiding pathway for the SAFEGRO’s project team, the implementation partners including, but not limited to, line Ministries, Departments, Companies, NGOs, Research Institutes, and the Media to recognize women’s and men’s distinct roles, capacity and skills in the food safety system and their risks to FBDs over time. The project interventions will value the contributions of males and females equally, their potential to create a food safety culture, and will address the underlying cause of gender inequality at all levels.

See the full information about the strategy here