Hunger Fighter

The inspiring biography of Maria Orosa, a WWII-era chemist who invented life-saving food preservation methods and created banana ketchup.

When Maria Orosa was growing up in the Philippines in the early twentieth century, she saw people starving for food—while fresh fruits and vegetables rotted in the jungle. So Maria embarked on a study of food science that would save the lives of her fellow Filipinos. When World War II came to her homeland, Maria fought hunger with her experiments—and brought people joy with inventions like her famous banana ketchup. 

With art as colorful as the tropical Philippines, plus kid-friendly explanations of microbes and Maria’s scientific process, Hunger Fighter introduces a leader who used her love of chemistry to transform her community. Helpful back matter includes a timeline of events, a recipe for inventing your own banana ketchup, and notes about food science, colonialism, and Maria’s achievements. 

A beautiful celebration of women’s history, women in STEM, and AAPI heritage.