Advocating African Traditional Vegetables at ‘Tanzfood’ 2022 Fair

TANZFOOD is an annual event for both the food industry and consumers – organized by the expo experts from KILIFAIR Promotions – Moshi/Tanzania. The 2022 fair attracted more than one hundred local and international exhibitors participating from within East Africa and other parts of the world.

The purpose of the fair was that Business people network and source new products in a casual professional environment, while consumers & families discovered, studied and tasted the latest food products on the market. World Vegetable Center participated as a key player in the region in strengthening vegetable value chain and promoting on vegetables, fruits and spices for improved nutrition, healthy, income and sources of employment with special emphasis for youth and female.

A range of products and services were showcased including agricultural produce and industrial products. This included a wide range of processed and fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices, vegetable recipes and delicacies, health diet seed kits and nutritional sense massages. Additionally technologies of production especially those that are urban-areas friendly were shared.

Youths on Employable Skills Development Program (Tayari kwa Ajira) got an opportunity not only to demonstrate their acquired additional attributes because of their participation in the program but also showcase a range of products developed through innovation.

Business owners specifically from Horticulture Sector got an opportunity to lean on World Vegetable Center activities, share experiences network, source new products, and have a one-on-one and public discussions with potential partners and customers.

The fruits of this platform were many, worth of mentioning among others is that there arose a high level of interest by visitors to the exhibiting youths who articulated and confidently communicated with visitors about world Vegetable center and their Tayari Kwa Ajira program.

This was made even more evident by exchanging personal contacts details with many visitors and potential employers including hotel owners, food producers and processors, farm owners and managers for further communication. Some organizations also raised interest in future employment of Tayari Kwa Ajira graduates Seminars and presentations on different aspects encompassing Tanzania foodstuffs ran concurrently with the exhibitions.

A special slot to present to visitors, regulators, and exhibitors on the place and importance of African Traditional Vegetables in Tanzanian cuisine was created for World Vegetable Center.