West Virginia Department of Agriculture: News Release

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Governor Wise, Commissioner of Agriculture Douglass Promote 'World Food Day'

Governor Bob Wise has proclaimed Thursday, October 16, as “World Food Day” in the Mountain State. World Food Day is a salute to those who work in the world’s food system and a reminder of the need for increased food security.
“Most Americans are woefully uninformed about how food reaches their kitchen table,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

“They simply take for granted that they can always go to the grocery store and buy more food. What they don’t realize is that there is less than a seven-day food supply in the average city. If the food distribution system was interrupted for a week, you would see real food shortages occur,” said Commissioner Douglass. “Just look at how fast the stores are cleaned out before a blizzard.”

Of course, in many other countries of the world, food shortages are not a hypothetical situation, they are a daily reality.

A part of World Food Day is teaching school children about hunger around the globe. “Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger” is a worldwide educational initiative that provides classroom materials for teachers in a variety of languages.

The U.S. National Committee for World Food Day will also sponsor a teleconference Thursday entitled “Collaboration or Calamity: Africa in Peril.” The conference will originate from George Washington University and will feature Urban Jonsson, UNICEF Regional Director for eastern and southern Africa. More information on both programs can be found at www.worldfooddayusa.org.

Whereas, a society that guarantees that the basis of life – food – is offering hope to everyone that other blessings of peace and justice can be achieved as well; and,

Whereas, World Food Day is observed each year on October 16 in recognition of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization; and,

Whereas, World Food Day is a worldwide event which provides a special opportunity for public officials to build public and media support for programs of vital concern to every citizen - hunger alleviation, child care, human nutrition and family farm protection; and,

Whereas, World Food Day draws its strength from hundreds of members of our 450 national sponsors that have endorsed and supported World Food Day in the United States; and,

Whereas, the expert panelists will highlight grassroots, self-reliant efforts and what can be learned from them;

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that I, Bob Wise, Governor of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim October 16, 2003, as World Food Day in the Mountain State and encourage all citizens to do their part in the fight against hunger and starvation throughout the world.

10-10-2003