Sophie Jones: "I cover the foreign policy portfolio."

An aide to San Diego House Democratic Sara Jacobs took off on a free trip to Cyprus courtesy of the United Nations Foundation, as the controversial non-profit faced new questions regarding corporate sponsorship of its Food System Summit.

Sophie Jones, who departed Washington on the five-day excursion beginning September 14, racked up total transportation expenses of $4144, meal costs of $384, lodging expenses of $567, and two Covid 19 tests valued at $35, according to a September 24 disclosure filing.

"I am Rep Sara Jacobs' Legislative Assistant and I cover the foreign policy portfolio, including U.N. peacekeeping," declared Jones on the statement. "We will be learning about progress of peacekeeping efforts on the ground."

During her journey to Larnaca, Nicosia, and North Nicosia on the long-troubled island, Jones was put up at the Hilton Nicosia at a cost per night of $179, the document says.

Lunch and dinner venues listed on the itinerary included Brasserie Au Bon Plaisir, the Olympia Restaurant, Hilton, and the Syrian Arab Friendship Club.

"It's deservedly one of the most popular places to eat in Nicosia, and has plenty of choice for vegetarians," says a review of the latter by LonelyPlanet.com. "The large garden makes this a great choice for families."

"The meze spread (minimum two people) gives your taste buds a tour of Levantine cuisine's greatest hits, but if you know your Arabic dishes, you can go à la carte and cherry-pick your own feast.

"We recommend the batinjan makle (aubergines soaked in yoghurt and pomegranate molasses), kibbeh nayeh (Levantine version of lamb tartare) and fattoush (salad with fried pita)."

Says the London Telegram's website in an April 2021 review of Brasserie Au Bon Plaisir: "This cosy, pleasingly rustic and welcoming sort of place with its colourful walls adorned with art reminiscent of French life is run by a family who relocated from France and can be found a few minutes' walk from the famous Ledra Street in Nicosia.

"Meat in all forms – braised, roasted or prepared as a delicious terrine – is celebrated with considerable flair, including the family's signature dish of matured French Charolaise steak.

"The family likes to keep things healthy with the use of fresh, local produce to complement the ingredients from the regions of France, and pay particular attention to customers' food intolerances. It offers an excellent French and Cypriot wine collection."

Meanwhile, back in New York, controversy continued to fester over the alleged influence of corporate agribusiness on the U.N. Foundation's first Food Systems Summit, intended to meet the threat of global starvation.

"Merely three firms own 70 percent of the global agrochemical industry that manufactures and sells chemicals and pesticides used on crops," wrote Elizabeth Mpofu, a "small-scale organic peasant farmer from Zimbabwe," and Edgardo Garcia, a "peasant leader from the Nicaragua Land Workers' Association," in a July 25 Al Jazeera opinion piece calling for a boycott of the foundation's late September event.

"This corporate concentration is also evident in the livestock breeding sector, animal pharmaceutical industry, farming machinery, commodity trade and so forth."

"The governance of the summit remains firmly in the hands of 'experts' known to be staunch defenders of industrial agriculture, and some states, which host many of these large multinational corporations, are driving the agenda."

A list of "partners" on the foundation's website includes Chevron, Sumitomo Chemical, Terminix, Pfizer, Unilever, Nestle, Merck, Coca Cola, and Proctor & Gamble.