FAO announces a World Food Summit
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization web site will post details as they become available. The exact dates have not been announced yet.
Latest FAO figures published on June 19, 2009 indicate that 1.02 billion people, more than ever in human history, are undernourished worldwide. This figure is about 100 million more than last year and represents around one-sixth of all humanity.
Mount Kenya Declaration on the Global Crisis and Africa’s Responsibility
Statement from the African Biodiversity Network
From 23 - 31 May 2009, the African Biodiversity Network (ABN) have gathered together near Mount Kenya, 25 organisations from 10 countries that work with farmers and local communities on the issues of biodiversity, food sovereignty, livelihoods, climate change, traditional knowledge, culture and community rights in Africa.
Shocking New Report Reveals that In the U.S. More Than 3.5 Million (one in six) Children Under the Age of Five Are Food Insecure
Chicago, Illinois
May 6, 2009
One in six young children live on the brink of hunger in 26 states in the U.S., according to a new report issued today by Feeding America. The rate of food insecurity in young children is 33 percent higher than in U.S. adults, where one in eight live at risk of hunger.
Tell Congress not to force genetically engineered crops on other countries as a condition of receiving aid
Please contact your senator today and forward this by e-mail to friends.
Co-sponsors of this bill include Sen. Mark Begich (D, AK), Sen. Robert Casey (D, PA), Sen. Susan Collins (R, ME), Sen. Richard Durbin (D, ME), Sen. Thomas Harkin (D, IA), and Sen. John Kerry (D, MA). If you live in one of the districts served by these senators, it is important that they hear from you. Please cut and paste this information into a personal letter to your senator.
Policy Brief No 18: Why the Global Food Security Act Will Fail to Curb Hunger
by Annie Shattuck and Eric Holt-Giménez
A bill before the Senate would create a federal mandate for genetically modified crop research as part of U.S. foreign aid programs, against the recommendations of all major international assessments of agricultural development. A new report on the proposed legislation from Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy calls for urgent action to stop the bill.
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The Global Food Security Act (SB 384) passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last month. The legislation, also known as the Lugar-Casey Act, aims to reform aid programs to include a stronger focus on long-term agricultural development, and restructure aid agencies to better respond to crises. While this renewed attention is welcome, funding under the proposed law – some $7.7 billion worth of it - would be directed largely to genetically modified crop research.
Mobilizing Food Pantries and Sharing Campus Kitchens
By Karla Peña
America’s food system is broken. Many Americans are not getting enough to eat as witnessed by the 12% increase in school lunch enrollment during 2008. Food Banks across the U.S. are experiencing longer lines, less donated food and, at times, empty shelves. And some people are going home hungry because they can’t get to their local food pantry during pantry hours.
183 Civil Society Groups Urge President Obama and the U.S. Congress to Curb Food Speculation to Address the Urgent Hunger Crisis
Letter demands immediate action to prevent a repeat of last year's food price crisis
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| Food Speculation Coalition Letter to President Obama .pdf | 23.54 KB |
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| speculation intl sign-on final-spanish 3-25-09.doc | 42 KB |
March 24, 2009
Contact: Eric Holt-Gimenez, Executive Director
Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy
510-654-4400 ext 227 or 510-502-5050
Crisis: Global Hunger
The Whiteside Forum presents: "Crisis: Global Hunger"
Moderator: Dr. William Parsons
Professor, Chair of Political Science and Leadership Studies at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA
Keynote speaker:
John M. Staatz
Professor, Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI speaking on
"Food Security: Why are so many people hungry in the world, and what can be done about it?"
Panel and speakers:
John E. Peck
Executive Director, Family Farm Defenders, Madison, WI
Understanding the food crisis
A debate between Eric Holt-Giménez and Rob Lyons
This e-debate was published by Engineers Against Poverty in their Current Views & News, No. 12 February 2009.
President-elect Obama presented with urgent “Call to Action” to end food crisis
Experts advise that economic reform must include sound farm and food policy
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| 12-15-08 Food Crisis Call to Action w sign-ons.pdf | 16.87 KB |
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| Open Letter to President-elect 12-15-08 .pdf | 13.66 KB |
For immediate release
December 15, 2008
Contact: Christina Schiavoni, (212) 629-9788
Christina@whyhunger.org
Kathy Ozer, (202) 543-5675, kozer@nffc.net
As food banks scramble to respond to a dramatic increase in demand this holiday season, while unemployment surges and farmers face plummeting crop prices, a broad sector of groups are calling on the incoming Obama administration to put hunger and the global food crisis front and center on its list of top priorities.