In Cambodia, the price of rice – the staple of the Cambodian diet – has risen dramatically due to the worldwide grain crisis. In response to these inflated prices, CCF launched a several food relief projects to help community families cope with hunger and malnutrition.

As part of our subsidized rice distribution service, CCF negotiates with local mills for the direct purchase of rice by the metric ton and invites Steung Meanchey families to purchase the rice at below-wholesale market prices. In order to avoid system or allocation abuses (a common outcome of rice distribution programs) CCF provides vouchers to area families prior to distribution and is thus able to identify those with the greatest need, and to register the family in its records and to provide follow-up care and monitoring.

The CCF Community Center also runs an evening café offering subsidized meals made from fresh, locally purchased produce, and we often distribute free meal vouchers to families in dire need. While the menu is simple, every serving is made to order and generally features a well-balanced meal of rice or noodles accompanied with a stew or curry made from a variety of seasonal vegetables, broth and meat. Subsidized rice and café meals are sold, as opposed to being given out free, to reduce the risk of family and community dependence.

Production and distribution of CCF Star Bakery nutritionally enhanced bread is an ongoing activity that benefits an average of hundreds of families each week. Loaves are distributed informally via CCF student deliveries to their families in Steung Meanchey and neighboring provinces during weekend trips home, as well as through a more formalized allocation at our Community Center. Bread is also distributed as attendance incentives once weekly at our Satellite Schools and Daycare.