Together, farmers worldwide produce one and a half times the amount of food needed to feed the global population. Yet, 820 million people still suffer from chronic undernourishment. To bring awareness to this global challenge, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations hosts the annual World Food Day on October 16, honoring the founding of the FAO in 1945.
In commemoration of World Food Day, and every day, Farm Credit recognizes that farmers worldwide have devoted their lives to supporting the lives of others. Farmers play a vital role in ending hunger by producing the food upon which we all depend.
As a cooperative that is both owned by and exists to serve farmers across the United States, Farm Credit Services puts farmers at the forefront of every decision. We understand the challenges that farmers face and support them as they work, day-in and day-out, to produce more with less.
More information on World Food Day and its origins follows.
The FAO and its 194 member states working across 130 countries worldwide unite global efforts to defeat hunger and ensure food security for everyone, everywhere. The FAO’s priorities include:
• Ending hunger and malnutrition
• Increasing the productivity and sustainability of global agriculture
• Strengthening rural economies
• Increasing inclusivity of smallholder farmers in the agriculture system
• Improving the resiliency of the food system in the face of emergencies, such as natural disasters
The 2018 World Food Day theme is “Zero Hunger.” The FAO urges nations and individuals to collaborate towards a world in which everyone, regardless of who they are and where they live, has access to sufficient and nutritious food.
While the focus of World Food Day is global, Farm Credit associations across the country contribute to their communities’ efforts to increase food access on a local level. GreenStone launched our Member Grown Outreach Initiative this week to raise funds through matching donations for the Michigan Harvest Gathering and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
Food access is a complex and expansive issue and GreenStone is proud to do what we can to support people in our communities, making a difference in our small corner of the world
Member Grown Outreach donations can be made online to either of the two participating organizations, matching funds will be granted to those donations made as part of the GreenStone campaign.
Michigan Harvest Gathering
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/somfeedmichigan
Be sure to select ‘GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ from the “MHG Partners Organizations” dropdown on the giving page to have the donation matched by GreenStone.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin
https://ampyourgood.com/user/campaigns/3178
Be sure to use this URL to be directed to the GreenStone campaign
Excerpts from the Farm Credit Council
