World Food Day

World Food Day, October 16, is an opportunity to say thank you to food producers, services and volunteers that support our food system and to recognize them for their integral role in creating a healthy, accessible and vibrant food environment in Grey Bruce. Visit Hot Topics on our website and our Facebook and Twitter sites to tag or share the Thank You card to celebrate those who have contributed to reducing food insecurity and improving our local food system.

World Food Day focuses on ways to protect people with food insecurity or those who may be vulnerable to it. Food insecurity means not having the resources to provide for sufficient healthy food. It can mean going without or making less healthy food choices due to lack of means.

Currently, 1 in 8 households or four million people in Canada experience food insecurity. The Hungry for Action infographics (attached) demonstrate how healthy eating is beyond the reach for many in Grey Bruce.

Community gardens and urban agriculture are a piece of the solution. Locally, we have the beginnings of such a system right here in Bruce Grey. The Bruce Botanical Food Gardens (http://www.bbfg.org/) is one example of an innovative project using tourism, education and hands on experience to support sustainable agriculture.

World Food Day is celebrated each year on October 16, the day the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded in 1945 in Quebec City. The FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger through agreements and policy development as well as by supporting agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices to ensure good nutrition and food security for all. Honouring World Food Day, 45 cities, including Toronto and Vancouver, will sign the Urban Food Policy Pact endorsing a more just and sustainable urban food system.

For more on food insecurity, see the Dietitians of Canada Food Insecurity in Canada – infographic at: http://www.dietitians.ca/Downloads/Public/Food-Insecurity_one-pager_Eng.aspx

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.