World Food Day is just around the corner on this Sunday, October 16. The purpose of World Food Day is to raise awareness of food supply issues. Food supply issues are not just third world problems. According to the World Hunger Education Service in 2008, 1 in 4 children in the United States went to bed hungry and 15.5 million were living in poverty.
The theme this year is “Food Prices: From Crisis to Stability.” In developing countries, it is the major swing in food prices that contribute to food insecurity. As Americans, there are several things that we can do to cut down on our own food costs such as:
- Buy local
- Shop in bulk
- Freeze food
- Grow a garden of fruits and vegetables
- Buy foods in season
Oxfam America is encouraging people to get involved with World Food Day by hosting a Sunday dinner on October 16 to discuss where our food comes from, who grows it and how to make our food system more fair and sustainable. They are providing free materials such as celebrity chef recipes, discussion cards and placemats for you to host your dinner. You can go to http://www.oxfamamerica.org/campaigns/food-justice/join-the-conversation-the-world-food-day-dedicate-your-sunday-dinner-to-farmers?utm_source=Redirect to read more and order materials. Materials must be ordered no later than October 12.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has also created Food Day to motivate people to support local farmers and eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. This year it will be celebrated on October 24. It has six main goals:
- Reduce diet-related disease
- Support sustainable farms
- Expand food access/alleviate hunger
- Protect the environment and animals
- Curb junk-food marketing
- Support fair conditions for food and farm workers
Here is my menu for this week, featuring the last of my garden produce and finds from my local farmer’s market:
Monday: Lentil Stew with Ham and Greens
Tuesday: Quinoa Pilaf with Chicken Apple Sausage, Roasted Butternut Squash and Bok Choy
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Dinner Out for Husband’s Birthday (at a restaurant based on local and in-season principles)
Friday: Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and White Beans with Steamed Broccoli
Saturday: Dinner at In-Laws
Sunday: World Food Day Farmers Market Dinner (will cook whatever I buy from the farmer’s market this weekend)
I encourage you to take the time this week to think about where our food comes from, who cultivates it and how it is distributed. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject or what you do in your life to reduce food costs.
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