Da Nang: Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School Inaugurated The Model Kitchen Sponsored By The Government of Japan
On September 27th, Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School, Son Tra District, Da Nang City inaugurated the Model Kitchen under the School Meal Project, implemented by Ajinomoto Vietnam in cooperation with the Vietnam Ministry of Education & Training and the National Institute of Nutrition – Vietnam Ministry of Health at boarding elementary schools nationwide.
The inauguration ceremony was honored with the presence of His Excellency Mr. Yakabe Yoshinori – Consul General of Japan in Da Nang City; Mr. Nguyen Thanh De - Head of Physical Education Department (Vietnam Ministry of Education & Training); Mr. Tsutomu Nara - General Director of Ajinomoto Vietnam Company; Ms. Le Thi Bich Thuan - Director of Da Nang Education & Training Department; together with leaders of People's Committee of Son Tra District, Da Nang Division of Education & Training, School Management Board, officials, teachers, parents, and pupils of Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School.
It is known that this is the 3rd Model Kitchen sponsored by the Government of Japan, which shows the Government of Japan’s appreciation for the contributions of the School Meal Project in improving the nutritional status of Vietnamese children.
At the same time, this support also bears many meanings for Vietnam, as well as for the friendship between the two countries, especially in the context of marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.
His Excellency Mr. Yakabe Yoshinori - Consul General of Japan in Da Nang emphasized: "I hope Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School and the People's Committee of Son Tra District will continue to maintain the management of local school kitchens and make efforts to improve nutrition for children with the Model Kitchen under the School Meal Project in Da Nang City.”.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh De – Head of Physical Education Department (Vietnam Ministry of Education & Training) said that in implementing the tasks assigned by the Prime Minister, up to now Vietnam Ministry of Education & Training has chaired and coordinated with Vietnam Ministry of Health and related ministries, sectors, units, and organizations to implement many programs, including the School Meal Project in collaboration with Vietnam Ministry of Health (National Institute of Nutrition) and Ajinomoto Vietnam to deploy and apply at elementary boarding schools nationwide. Over the past 10 years, the School Meal Project has provided millions of pupils nationwide with nutrition-balanced, diverse, and delicious meals. Moreover, pupils are educated about the nutritional value of foods and practical knowledge that helps children improve their understanding and form healthy eating habits.
Mr. Tsutomu Nara - General Director of Ajinomoto Vietnam shared: "With the Purpose of “Contributing to the well-being of Vietnamese people and society through providing quality products and valuable initiatives”, Ajinomoto Vietnam Company has been implementing many valuable initiatives in the field of nutrition and health, which was recognized and highly regarded by the society, especially the School Meal Project. The School Meal Project is implemented nationwide by Ajinomoto Vietnam in cooperation with the Vietnam Ministry of Education & Training and the National Institute of Nutrition – Vietnam Ministry of Health, to contribute to the nutrition and health of Vietnamese children.
Building the “One-way kitchen” model following Japanese standards is one of the key contents of the School Meal Project, in addition to the Nutrition-balanced Menus Development Software and the Food nutrition education materials of "3 Minutes to Change Awareness". For the Model Kitchen at Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School, Ajinomoto Vietnam is in charge of consulting and training related personnels to operate the kitchen according to the standard of “One-way kitchen” procedures, ensuring food hygiene and safety.
At the ceremony, Ms. Le Thi Bich Thuan - Director of Da Nang Education & Training Department requested the Bureaus of Education & Training of local districts to continue to direct schools to implement Decision No. 196/QD-BGDDT dated January 16th, 2017 of Vietnam Ministry of Education & Training on approving the Nutrition-balanced Menus Development Software, together with other documents from the Department. Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School operates and maintains well the Model Kitchen; builds a team of professional staff complying to kitchen procedures to promote the kitchen’s efficiency and effectively implement the "School Meal Project”; at the same time, creates opportunities for other schools to visit and study.
The Model Kitchen at Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School is designed to strictly comply with food safety and hygiene principles and to improve the kitchen’s operational efficiency. With the Model Kitchen at Ngo Gia Tu Elementary School being inaugurated and put into use, the School Meal Project has now successfully built four Model Kitchens across Vietnam. Previously, the 1st Model Kitchen was built at Trung Trac Elementary School, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City (sponsored by Ajinomoto Vietnam), the 2nd and 3rd Model Kitchens (sponsored by the Japanese Embassy) at Hoang Van Thu Elementary School, Lang Son City and Phan Dinh Phung Elementary School, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, respectively.
Source: Nhan Dan Online Newspaper