Progress is underway with all four CAFSI participants, particularly in the area of equipment upgrades for their soy foods production facilities. Plenty soy technician Chuck Haren has located, purchased and shipped a number of equipment upgrades for SoyNica in Nicaragua, including a semi-manual milk filling machine, a 300 gallon refrigerated milk tank, a hydraulic milk/pulp extractor, a plate heat exchanger, and 3 sanitary milk pumps, with hoses and fittings. A 10 X 12 foot walk-in cooler and a 30 gallon steam-jacketed kettle were also purchased.
This equipment will allow SoyNica to increase their food production capacity at their facility in Managua. The existing equipment will be used to establish a new production site in the university city of Leon. Plenty will fund Chuck’s travel to Nicaragua in September to help with the new installation, and funding for the new equipment has been provided by SoyNica.

Food processing tools have also been purchased to outfit the Huichol Center’s soy kitchen, including a 10 gallon, propane gas-fired, steam-jacketed kettle mounted on a stainless steel table which can make 6-7 gallon batches of soymilk at one time. A small, semi-manual milk/pulp extractor is being fabricated to use with the kettle. A Sani-Serve soft serve ice cream machine has also been purchased. This equipment will be transported to the Huichol Center in the fall by Plenty volunteers, and a chest freezer and other items will be purchased locally. This equipment will enable the Center to produce soy milk, tofu and ice cream for their staff, school and day care children, and others participating in the Center’s educational and service programs. It will also provide low cost food products for sale in the local community. The equipment’s arrival will coincide with a two month technical support visit by Plenty soy technician Louise Hagler. Funding for the Huichol Nutrition project has been provided by AMB Foundation, Onaway Trust, and Plenty through its fundraising efforts.

In July, ADIBE in Guatemala requested a grant of $2,000 from Plenty to enable them to purchase a large bulk shipment of soybeans, at half the retail cost. This purchase covers one of their basic material production costs for the next year and will enable them to utilize existing funds for expanded outreach and marketing. Since January 2004, Plenty has provided over $6,000 to ADIBE for critical building upgrades for their 25-year-old soy foods production facility and to enable them to rent a small retail storefront in the tourist town of Panajachel to increase sales.

Plans are also underway with UPAVIM in Guatemala City to purchase equipment and provide technical support in January 2005.

Plenty’s staff and board are actively fundraising for the CAFSI program, so that we can continue to support these four organizations in their efforts to expand their food processing capabilities for the benefit of their communities.

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