Thriposha product and program

Thriposha is a supplement consisting of 40% locally grown and processed corn and soya and 60% of a donated U.S. blend of corn, soya, non-fat dried milk, minerals, and vitamins. The program, which is a joint effort of the Ministry of Health and CARE, supported by A.I.D., combines a number of elements which give it particular interest: use of the innovative extrusion food processing technology, which has enabled it to reduce costs and produce a centrally processed product with excellent acceptability; conversion from full reliance on imported commodities to a high percentage of indigenous foods; use of product name and packaging to create a strong positive image for a supplementary food; demonstration that take-home feeding can achieve nutritional impact when combined with other nutrition and health services; and the introduction of the supplement through commercial channels as a complement to the donation element. This paper recounts the history of the Thriposha program, its costs, services (including onsite feeding, through which 15% of recipients are served), impacts, and initial efforts to distribute the product commercially. Sources of further information on the Thriposha program and on extrusion technology are noted.