Prince of Songkla University Delivers 3,000 Flood-Relief Meals
Prince of Songkla University has delivered 3,000 boxes of its Grab Agro ready‑to‑eat meals to flood‑affected communities via Silpakorn University. The meals, developed over ten years of agro‑industry research, are designed to be safe, long‑lasting and easy to transport without refrigeration. Officials say the initiative shows how food science can be used to prepare society for future disasters.
Prince of Songkla University’s Faculty of Agro‑Industry began developing Grab Agro ready‑to‑eat meals after the 2011 floods, when it was tasked with supplying food to tens of thousands of victims. Using retort‑pouch technology, researchers created meals that could be stored safely without refrigeration while retaining taste, texture and nutritional value. Over the years the product evolved from simple fried rice in pouches to varied menus in heat‑resistant trays, improving convenience for prolonged consumption. The faculty’s GMP‑ and HALAL‑certified pilot plant applies precise heat‑treatment calculations to eliminate pathogens without compromising quality. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saowanit Wattanachant emphasizes that the goal is not just to feed people when disaster hits, but to apply food science, technology and logistics so communities are prepared in advance.
