Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Franklin Meyers, will commemorate World Food Day at the University of St. Martin’s (USM) Exhibition on Sunday, October 16.
World Food Day is an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) system. It is celebrated annually to remind the world how important food in general is. This year’s theme is: "Food Prices from Crisis to Stability."
Price swings, upswings in particular, represent a major threat to food security in developing countries. Hardest-hit are the poor. According to the World Bank, in 2010-2011 rising food costs pushed nearly 70 million into extreme poverty.
The theme selected this year was chosen to shed some light on the trend of price instability and what can be done to mitigate its impact on the most vulnerable.
Minister Meyers is extending an invitation to one and all to visit the exhibition at USM which will have various agricultural technologies on display along with information and persons to help advise and tell you about home gardening.
"It is a great opportunity for the family to come out on Sunday to visit the exhibition and learn what is available and what we as individual households could do as well. For example, if you are able to start a little garden in your garden, why not.
"The emphasis on World Food Day 2011 is for nations to look seriously at what causes swings in food prices, and do what needs to be done to reduce their impact on the weakest members of global society.
"I take this opportunity to call on the business community, the food wholesalers and retailers to look at what they can do to keep prices low for our people and offer specials, discounts, and certain days with percentages off in these difficult and challenging times.
"With everybody working together we can contribute positively to reducing the costs of food in different ways and therefore lowering the costs of living," Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Franklin Meyers said on Friday.