Sustainability this year's theme for World Food Day
By Leslie Cox - Comox Valley Record October 09, 2013 6:00 PM
World Food Day is Oct. 16. Something to think about as we harvest our gardens.
This is a day that was first dedicated in 1945 by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization to raise awareness of hunger and poverty throughout the world. Every year a different theme is chosen to promote a common focus towards an area requiring attention.
The theme for 2013 is: Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition.
Other themes from the past have highlighted small farmers, rural youth, trees for life, water for life, food for all, the right to food, united against hunger, biodiversity for food security. You get the idea.
It is all about food, food for all, food issues ... and it is worldwide. Good we think about it with a global population of over seven billion and still counting.
That is a lot of mouths to feed. And so many are not being fed adequately. Can it even be done?
First off, does everyone understand what a sustainable food system really is?
It refers to a food system that will continue to be diverse and productive over a long period of time. Decades ... even centuries with care.
But that will only happen if we protect our food security. And who better to do that than each and every one of us.
I mean that.
We have to embrace the issues surrounding our food supply between where and how it is grown and how it winds up on everyone's plates.
I do not think we can hope to have sustainable food systems in every single country without factoring in the security of food at its highest nutritional level.
One thing I do know. There are many movements afoot that are making inroads in addressing these very issues globally.
The Slow Food movement, the organic certification program, Seedy Saturdays (and Sundays), seed banks, local farmer's markets, community gardens, and more.
There are also groups lobbying governments to step up and help in such things as supporting small farmers and protecting food consumers through proper labelling. Admittedly, not many battles are being won in that department but losses are proving not to be total defeat.
If at first you do not succeed, try again. Especially if it involves something as important as food. We all need it.
Here in North America we are so lucky to have bountiful harvests. Is there anything you can do to make a difference in those countries less fortunate?
World Food Day is Oct. 16. Something to think about as we harvest our gardens.
This is a day that was first dedicated in 1945 by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization to raise awareness of hunger and poverty throughout the world. Every year a different theme is chosen to promote a common focus towards an area requiring attention.
The theme for 2013 is: Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition.
Other themes from the past have highlighted small farmers, rural youth, trees for life, water for life, food for all, the right to food, united against hunger, biodiversity for food security. You get the idea.
It is all about food, food for all, food issues ... and it is worldwide. Good we think about it with a global population of over seven billion and still counting.
That is a lot of mouths to feed. And so many are not being fed adequately. Can it even be done?
It refers to a food system that will continue to be diverse and productive over a long period of time. Decades ... even centuries with care.
But that will only happen if we protect our food security. And who better to do that than each and every one of us.
I mean that.
We have to embrace the issues surrounding our food supply between where and how it is grown and how it winds up on everyone's plates.
I do not think we can hope to have sustainable food systems in every single country without factoring in the security of food at its highest nutritional level.
One thing I do know. There are many movements afoot that are making inroads in addressing these very issues globally.
The Slow Food movement, the organic certification program, Seedy Saturdays (and Sundays), seed banks, local farmer's markets, community gardens, and more.
There are also groups lobbying governments to step up and help in such things as supporting small farmers and protecting food consumers through proper labelling. Admittedly, not many battles are being won in that department but losses are proving not to be total defeat.
If at first you do not succeed, try again. Especially if it involves something as important as food. We all need it.
Here in North America we are so lucky to have bountiful harvests. Is there anything you can do to make a difference in those countries less fortunate?
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