Food Education for the Entire Country: 1,540 Public Libraries Will Receive the Encyclopedia “Vegetables and Fruits for Everyone”

• Thanks to a crowdfunding campaign that raised funds in Japan, the United States, and Colombia, 1,560 copies of the encyclopedia “Vegetables and Fruits for Everyone: A Didactic and Visual Encyclopedia” were reprinted. Of these, 1,540 were delivered to the National Network of Public Libraries, ensuring that at least one physical copy was available in every municipal library in the country.

 

Mosquera, Cundinamarca. March 9, 2026. A dream that began more than a decade ago is now reaching every corner of Colombia. The encyclopedia “Vegetables and Fruits for Everyone: A Didactic and Visual Encyclopedia” is a work that brings together 2,050 images of more than 355 plant species used in human nutrition, accompanied by accessible-language texts, key information about the plants, and simple experiments that can be carried out easily. Designed especially for children and young people, the publication aims to bring scientific knowledge closer to everyday life and strengthen food education from an early age.

The initiative was led by Dr. Sadao Kobayashi, a retired Ph.D. researcher from AGROSAVIA’s Tibaitatá Research Center, who spent ten years compiling the photographic material that gave rise to the project. Over the last four years, Dr. Takumasa Kondo from the Palmira Research Center, Diego Rojas, Research Support Professional at the Tibaitatá Research Center, and illustrator Nana Kobayashi joined the effort, forming the team that made this didactic and visual publication possible.

More than an illustrated book, the encyclopedia is a food education tool. Inspired by the Japanese concept of Shokuiku, which means “food education,” it was conceived as a way to strengthen the relationship between new generations and the foods they consume, helping them understand their origin and appreciate their nutritional importance from childhood.

Following its 2023 launch at the International Book Fair, the publication surpassed 5,800 downloads in PDF format, demonstrating its reach and impact. However, the goal went beyond digital access: the objective was for the encyclopedia to be physically available throughout the entire national territory.

This aspiration became a reality with the reprinting of 1,560 copies thanks to solidarity contributions collected in Japan, the United States, and Colombia. The official delivery of 1,540 copies to the National Network of Public Libraries took place on February 20, with the participation of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge; the National Library of Colombia; the Embassy of Japan; the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); and AGROSAVIA.

In a country where, according to DANE figures for 2022, moderate or severe food insecurity reached 30.8%, initiatives such as this take on special significance. For AGROSAVIA, the encyclopedia is a tool to sow knowledge, promote more conscious eating habits, and contribute—through education—to building a more informed country.

Although this milestone marks an important achievement, the initiative continues. The team plans new campaigns to fund future reprints and expand donations to public schools, with the aim of continuing to bring food education to more children and young people across Colombia.

Click here to access the digital version of the illustrated book, “Vegetables and Fruits for Everyone: A Didactic and Visual Encyclopedia.”