food dryer

in many parts of the developing world, there are two distinct seasons:  the growing season and the dry season.  during the dry season nothing can be grown and families must live on what they have saved and what they can afford to buy from market.  often, this is less nutritious since fresh fruits and vegetables are either not available or are very expensive.  for people who can hardly afford to feed their families, losing nutritive value can be devastating.

ironically, during the growing season, people can be inundated with fresh fruits from local trees.  mangoes and other fruit grow in the wild and are so plentiful that they cannot all be used.  every year, fruit ends up rotting on the ground.  then in the dry season, there is none to be found.

mangoes, in particular, are very nutritious.  just one dried mango can provide 20% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A and 3% of vitamin C.  it also provides 10% of calcium and 6% of iron. 

in a spring 2012 class taught by Dr. Brian Thompson, ME491 International Development, a student team developed an inexpensive, easily-built mango dryer.  although targeted for Kenya and mangoes, it can easily be used to dry fruits and vegetables of all kinds.  it is ATC’s plan to provide this design along with our other designed solutions for improving life in developing communities.

there are significant benefits to a mango dryer:

·    -- provides the community access to nutrient-rich mangoes year-round, in contrast to a typical three month harvest season.

·    -- extends availability of vitamins and minerals, beneficial for childhood development and reducing malnourishment.

·    -- provides additional possibility for generating income.

·    -- improves the overall quality of life and helps develop a sustainable community.

the construction is quite simple.  it’s basically a box painted black with reflective surfaces, plexiglass, and a tray for the fruit.  but like with so many of the technologies ATC and partners develop, that simple implementation could be life-changing.

the team that developed this particular design were Haley Orr, Marcus Cannon, Michael Trotter, Nick Schooley, and of course the inimitable Dr. Thompson!