The word
atmit originated in
Ethiopia and refers to a kind of "thin, nourishing
porridge." Traditionally, it can contain over 20 different
cereals and the recipes can vary widely. Atmit is made from rolled oats, powdered milk, powdered sugar, vitamins, and minerals. It is easily digestible, and is high in protein and calorie content. Since severely malnourished people cannot eat solid food, atmit is an ideal way to get them essential nutrients. Marta Gabre-Tsadick, the first woman senator from Ethiopia and the co-founder of Project Mercy, Inc., a Christian relief organization, adapted the recipe for production in the United States for shipment to Ethiopia and other African countries. During 1985 and 1986, Project Mercy sent 930 tons of atmit to Ethiopia, where
World Vision relief workers used it to prepare millions of meals which they distributed among people weakened from the famine. Charity and relief organizations have created various formulas for this porridge.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints formula of atmit, which was sent in 2005 to
Niger, was made of the following: • 50% fine
oatmeal flour • 25% nonfat
milk • 20%
sugar • 5%
vitamins and
minerals That formula was further developed in 2009 to contain 51% oat flour, 23% nonfat dried milk, and 25% sugar, with the remaining percent composed of a re-developed set of micronutrients designed to improve vitamin shelf life and decrease vitamin degradation. That same year,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent 1.4 million pounds of the new atmit formula to Ethiopia. Recently, atmit has been distributed to
Uganda,
Sudan,
South Africa,
Haiti,
Gaza,
Bangladesh,
Indonesia,
Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, and
Niger. ==References==