Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 459,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,236 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,366 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,236 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,366 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,208 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 459,692 cutting edge ideas.

RUF Packets Could End World Hunger

— October 11, 2007 — Lifestyle
Food packets, or what is called ready-to-use food (RUF) may be the secret to helping end world hunger. Doctors Without Borders believe that by increasing shipments of RUF, millions of children could be saved from starvation.

The extremely high rates of world hunger are shocking, and disturbing to those people who have never experienced it, mostly because we feel there is nothing we can do. Many people contribute to charities, donate to food drives, or support foreign aid workers, but no significant breakthroughs have been made yet.

The key concern is that while the children may receive food, the items they're consuming still don't supply adequate nutrition that will help them gain weight, regain strength and fend off illness.

That's why RUF could be the answer. It's "a blend of such ingredients as milk powder, peanut butter, vegetable oil, sugar, vitamins and minerals in individual packets designed to provide all the nutrients a young child needs," CBC reported.

The packages have a long shelf-life and aren't affected by weather conditions like extreme heat. They're ready to use and don't require preparation. A child doesn't have to rely on an adult to benefit from the packages, they don't need to go into any areas of potential danger to gather firewood or water.

"The doctors group, which won the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize, is launching a campaign under the slogan Food is Not Enough, asking donors, researchers, governments and international organizations to help provide the cash and know-how required to get RUF to those who need it."

They believe that they could save five million children under the age of five. That's truly incredible. The only obstacle is the price, and getting approval from the U.S. government. While not outrageously expensive, the RUF still costs more than the other goods, like corn and wheat, that are currently being sent. In addition, "they face obstacles in Washington from policies intended to ensure that U.S. aid dollars buys U.S. farm products."

What's key to remember is that it's the quality of food, not quantity, that can ensure these children get healthy, and that's the message Doctors Without Borders are trying to get across. If RUF gets approval and funds start going toward that production, the future could hold a lot of hope.

It seems, however, that for now, these doctors do have borders after all.
Trend Themes
1. Increasing Shipment of RUF - Opportunity for companies in the food distribution industry to explore partnerships with organizations like Doctors Without Borders to increase the shipment of RUF packets and address world hunger.
2. Ready-to-use Food (RUF) - Innovative companies in the food manufacturing industry can focus on developing and producing RUF packets that provide all the necessary nutrients for young children in need, creating a disruptive solution for addressing malnutrition.
3. Quality Over Quantity - There is a growing emphasis on the importance of providing high-quality, nutrient-dense food to combat malnutrition, creating opportunities for companies in the food industry to develop and market innovative products with enhanced nutritional value.
Industry Implications
1. Food Distribution - Food distribution companies have the opportunity to collaborate with organizations like Doctors Without Borders to facilitate the increased shipment of RUF packets to areas affected by hunger, helping address nutritional deficiencies in children.
2. Food Manufacturing - Innovative food manufacturing companies can invest in research and development to create ready-to-use food (RUF) packets that provide optimal nutrition for children, contributing to the fight against malnutrition and hunger.
3. Food Industry - The food industry can explore opportunities to develop and promote nutritious food products that prioritize quality over quantity, meeting the demands of consumers who seek healthier options while addressing global hunger issues.
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness