by josie
Food Day, held annually on Oct. 24, kicked off last year with an "Eat In" in Times Square in New York City.
As VIVmag’s nutrition editor, I receive a lot of conflicting information about healthy eating. But there’s one thing pretty much everyone can agree on: When it comes to the American diet, something’s gotta give. My collection of “Fast Fat Stats” in the latest issue contains some eye-opening facts about the health and financial costs of the growing obesity epidemic.
So grassroots efforts like today’s Food Day — a nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable and sustainable food — are more important than ever. The annual event, held Oct. 24 and sponsored by the nonprofit watchdog group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), aims to bring attention to not only to nutrition, but also to hunger and sustainable agriculture practices, with an overall goal to improve the nation’s food policies.
The priorities include promoting safer, healthier diets and supporting sound working conditions for food and farm workers, as well as reforming factory farms to better protect the environment and animals. Another big issue is reducing hunger and food insecurity in the U.S., especially since many food programs face budget cuts. (For more insight into the hunger issue, check out VIVmag’s coverage of the Hunger Hits Home presentation and A Place at the Table, formerly called Finding North.) Food Day also is bringing attention to the need to support sustainable and organic farmers; farmers need our support now more than ever.
The Food Day website provides tips on how you can take action, from organizing Food Day activities to contacting your congressional representative. (According to the filmmakers at the preview screening of A Place at the Table, representatives told them that calls and letters about these issues make a big difference.) The number events have increased since last year’s first Food Day, with more than 2,400 nationwide; check the site to find an event near you.
Those in the Washington, D.C., area can see if there are still spaces available for today’s Food Day Marquee Event, with the theme “The Future of Food: 2050.” The panels at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center will discuss nutrition and food (moderated by April Fulton, editor of NPR’s The Salt blog) and agriculture (moderated by food writer Jane Black).
Events throughout the country include fundraisers, food drives, school programs, farm tours and more. Some are making healthy eating pledges. For example, Kathie Dolgin’s Energy Up! has Sugar Shocktober in conjunction with Food Day and the “Pour One Out” campaign of Life Is Sweeter with Fewer Sugary Drinks. The nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing childhood obesity has an annual a five-day nationwide campaign in schools the week before Halloween to get students, teachers and faculty to give up sugary beverages, drink more water and become active.
Taking part can be as easy as having a delicious meal. Check out Urbanspoon’s directory of participating restaurants that offer talks, fundraisers and special meals.
What do you think are some of the biggest food issues facing us today?
Photo credit: Philip Greenberg
