Spectrum
Students use grant to help Chinese become more aware of food safety
“Our project will promote peace by providing consumers with a safe source of food,” the students wrote in their grant proposal, “rais- ing the food-safety awareness of farmers and [potentially] resolving the conflict between farmers and consumers.”
Zhang and Gao had four main goals for their project, called Youzhitupin (Green Diet): hosting information sessions and work- shops, establishing drop-off centers for local farmers, organizing two open-farm days, and developing an online community where users could purchase goods and connect with farmers.
Through each of these, they expect consumers will learn more about the food they eat and farmers will be encouraged to grow more organic products.
“By establishing a direct selling- purchasing system, farmers will improve their profit and thus ensure the safety of the products,” Zhang and Gao wrote in their proposal. “Farmers and consumers will also build up a close relationship through this system, under which they will understand each other through peaceful communication.”
