Feeding the Crew

We will be going out with the medical mission in July. There will be 130 Americans and over 80 Zambians going out in the bush to set up clinics. We'll be camping in tents during this time. The cooking for this huge crew will be directed by Leonard Sichimwa. Ellie Hamby, one of the medical mission directors, sent out the following information on all the preparations and food that will be needed for this huge project. We thought you might find it interesting. Ellie writes:

1. I ordered 170 kg (374 lbs) of mince (ground beef in the USA). The cattle are being butchered now and the mince should be ready shortly.

2. I ordered 100 chickens and they are growing right now and should be ready to butcher in about a week.

3. I ordered 20 kg (44 lbs) of game meat (kudu, eland, and impala). A wildlife farm has these animals and they butcher and sell the meat.

4. I ordered 5000 bottles of water, 1500 small juice boxes, and 1500 small bags of assorted potato chips from the warehouses in Lusaka. A truck is going there today to bring them back to Namwianga.

5. I ordered 50 kg (110 lbs) of Gouda Cheese from a cheese factory in Lusaka. We have it now and it is in the freezer.

6. I ordered 50 kg (110 lbs) of sliced ham from a meat packing supplier in Lusaka and it will be ready to pick up when we go to Lusaka to pick up the Gregersens on the 22nd June.

7. The following vegetables are in the field growing right now: 50 heads of cabbage, 90 kgs (198 lbs) of carrots, 40 kgs (88 lbs) of onions, and 90 kgs (198 lbs) of tomatoes. I am counting on all the suppliers having the veggies ready when we need them.

8. I ordered several cases of apples, pears, and bananas. This fruit will all come by truck from South Africa.

9. The ladies at Namwianga will be making 6000 buns to be delivered to our house at different times and I have ordered from the local bakery supplier in Kalomo 200 loaves of bread.

10. Leonard Sichimwa is busy making cookies and cakes for all of you who have a sweet tooth.

11. Last, but not least, we will be buying 100 kgs (220 lbs) of mealie meal for all you "Nshima Lovers"!

You can see that it takes a lot to feed a group as big as ours!