Trukai Industries, through its Tru Hero Campaign, joined with Buk Bilong Pikinini (BBP) to publish two books today (2/09/24) at the BBP Library Learning Centre at the University of Papua New Guinea, with the goal of improving children's nutrition in PNG through education. These books consist of a picture book about two superheroes named Tru & Kai who go on an adventure to help their community through good nutrition. The other is a program textbook for teachers, students, and families that highlights nutritious local foods prevalent around the country while also providing detailed information on their nutritional value, good cleanliness, and featuring some of Chef Julz's TruInspiriation recipes. Trukai Industries has fully funded the printing of 20, 000 copies of the Tru and Kai storybook, which includes the Program textbook. These will be distributed to all BBP Library Learning Centers in Port Moresby, Lae, and Goroka, as well as sold at Theodist outlets throughout PNG, to raise funds for BBP to continue driving the nutrition literacy agenda and their operations to improve literacy rates in PNG, particularly in early childhood education. Andrew Grace, Trukai Industries' General Manager for Sales and Marketing Supply Chain, noted that their cooperation with BbP represented their commitment in communities and proved the company's value for education as a crucial tool for nation building. “Our partnership with BBP in creating this nutrition education program signifies our commitment and investment in education, good health, nutrition and the well-being of Papua New Guineans and its future generation.” “This partnership not only signifies our investments in communities as a good corporate citizen, but it also underpins our values as manufacturer of a high-quality staple product that is rice, and a major contributor towards food security in PNG.” “It is through such partnerships that we can build a healthier, nutrition conscious and active generation as we work in line to address the PNG Government’s Medium Term Development Plan Goals under the strategic priority area of improving nutrition standards and reduce malnutrition in PNG.” BBP Founder Anne-Sophie Hermann was grateful for their partnership with Trukai Industries stating that the two books will allow the students and their families’ access to nutritional education. “BBP is grateful to Trukai for their partnership to create a beautiful children’s superhero picture book and program text book for our upcoming Nutrition program.” “This support is critical as it will allow the students in our Early Childhood Education Program – and their families – to gain access to nutritional education, which will assist them with ensuring that children are eating the correct foods to sustain them through their schooling.” “We have noted that children and families are moving towards a diet of ultra-processed foods and drinks, which is not suitable for growing minds and bodies as they contain no vitamins, minerals and fibre.” “We looking forward to supporting the children to become nutritionally literate by teaching them how to gain strength and mental focus through eating all superfoods PNG has to offer.” Malnutrition is growing at an alarming rate in PNG, with one in every five children diagnosed with malnutrition and is the leading underlying cause of deaths in children below the age of five. Trukai Industries through its Tru Hero campaign hopes to reach as many children, families and communities in PNG by making awareness about healthy eating through this partnership.