history of meals for millions, soy, and freedom from ... - SoyInfo Center

Clifford returned from World War II, he felt that the
cafeterias must do more to feed the hungry in Los Angeles.
He asked Dr. Borsook if there were any way to create a
nourishing meal for a nickel ($0.05). The first goal for such
a meal was in Los Angeles–later the world. Clifford told Dr.
Borsook the various specifications for such a food to make
it universally acceptable. Nelda thought Clifford was asking
too much–to meet all these requirements for just a nickel.
Dr. Borsook replied: “All my life I have wanted a
challenge like this.” So he accepted a cash grant. Caltech
gave him a little room that he could use for a kitchen–to
develop recipes and conduct experiments.
“He then hired Madame Soulange Berczeller. He knew
that oleomargarine presscake was loaded with nutrients;
animals thrived on it in mixed feeds and chickens produced
more eggs. Presscake could be used if it were made
palatable. Then Madame Berczeller came in with her French
background and introduced seasonings; so they ended up
with three forms or flavors of multipurpose food. One was
flavored with seasonings to taste like sage dressing for
turkey or fowl. One was completely unseasoned. The third
contained powdered milk for nursing mothers or infants.
Nelda only met Mme. Berczeller once–briefly at the
kitchen. She recalls her being European–maybe French or
German or even Austrian.
Dr. Borsook’s food was named “multi-purpose food”
right from the beginning.
Nelda does not know much about the United Rescue
Mission. It is a Christian organization founded in the 1940s
to help those who are homeless, hungry, addicted–basically
down on their luck. It gives comprehensive care to those in
crisis. Nelda remembers some kind of mission on Main
Street in Los Angeles.
Note: The United Rescue Mission (URM) in Los
Angeles was a place where homeless men could receive
food and a bed for a few nights. It is still active there. It
does have a religious focus, and it probably received Multi-
Purpose Food.
Clifford, the son of Christian missionaries in China, left
China when he was 12. China was not open to missionary
activity after the Communists came to power in 1949.
Early documents about Meals for Millions (MFM) are
in many places. Clifford’s sons would have many at the
cafeteria in Los Angeles–The Silver Spoon, 515 West 7th
St., Los Angeles, California 90014. They have many files of
documents there. Nelda’s son, Donald Clinton (213-485-
1814) will be leaving for Southeast Asia in a few days.
Nelda’s daughter, Jean Roeschlaub, will be there. Donald
has a complete file on the history of MFM. Also, the UCLA
research library as lots of files from Ernest Chamberlain,
who was the first major secretary. Edmond Clinton (213-
796-3618), another son in Pasadena, also has a great
knowledge of the early days; he was one of the founders
MEALS FOR MILLIONS, SOY, AND FREEDOM FROM HUNGER 138
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and a director for 20 years. He now works for Badle’s
cafeteria in Pasadena.
Nelda gave UCLA 7 cardboard boxes of clippings in
scrapbooks. Her husband, Clifford, also fought crooks and
corruption in the Los Angeles government.
In the early 1940s [outside the Midwest] the soybean
was largely unknown in the United States. Address: 4411
Los Feliz Blvd., Apt. 1001, Los Angeles, California 90027.
Phone: 213-663-3838.
310. Meals for Millions / Freedom from Hunger
Foundation. 1984. Annual report 1983: Self-help for a
hungry world. Davis, California: MFM / FFH Foundation.
16 p. 21.5 x 9.5 cm.
• Summary: Peter J. Davies is President. Philip E. Barton is
chairperson, board of trustees. On the brownish-red, black
and white cover is a photo of a mother smiling at her child.
MFM’s logo of a plant growing in an upturned bowl is on
the front cover.
There is a 1-page message from Barton and a 2-page
message from Davies. The latter notes: “In 1983 your
foundation started two new Applied Nutrition Programs in
Sierra Leone and Kenya.”
“A milestone was achieved when our staff moved into
our new International Center at Davis last March. And we
were especially excited to receive a magnificent check for
$225,000 from the Kresge Foundation in April; full
payment of their challenge grant.” Meals for Millions
philosophy. MFM has “Applied Nutrition Programs”
(ANPs) in Ecuador, Honduras, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Korea,
Thailand, Antigua, U.S. Southwest, Papago Applied
Nutrition Program (on the Papago Indian Reservation near
Tucson). Solutions through appropriate technology.
“Korea: At the end of 1983 MFM phased out its direct
participation, turning over its programs to an independent
local body;... MFM began to work in Korea just after the
Korean War, helping a company to produce a high protein
soy beverage for schoolchildren. In 1976 we began an
Applied Nutrition Program in Wonseong County, which has
grown tremendously.”
Thailand: “Last July the men, women and children in
53 villages and 29 schools began planting the 753 kilograms
of soybeans distributed by MFM. Villages which were
previously quiet and listless, ‘seem to have come alive.’”
Total income: $1.894 million. Address: P.O. Box 2000,
Davis, California 95617. Phone: (916) 758-6200.
311. Widner, Patrick T. 1984. Re: Printed materials
concerning Meals for Millions / Freedom from Hunger
Foundation. Letter to William Shurtleff at Soyfoods Center,
April 3. 1 p. Typed, with signature on letterhead.
• Summary: “Dear Bill, Enclosed are responses to your
questionnaire about MFM and multi-purpose food. The