Food Day’s ultimate goal is to improve our nation’s food policies through knowledge and awareness of various food related issues. The 5 main priorities that aid in this food movement are:
- Promote safer, healthier diets
Fact: About two-thirds of American adults and one-third of children are pre-obese or obese.
Food Day encourages Americans, especially children, to get healthy, one fruit and vegetable at a time. As we know, childhood obesity is becoming a huge problem in our country. Food Day also aims to decrease the amount we spend on diet-related healthcare costs.
- Support sustainable and organic farms
Fact: The USDA estimates “local” food sales total just 1.6% of the entire U.S. market for agricultural products.
Food Day urges our society to buy produce locally. It encourages citizens to write to their U.S. Representatives to increase the federal support of these local farms and beginner farmers as well. Find businesses that work with carbon offsetting companies like Carbon Click to ensure you are supporting businesses that loves the environment.
- Reduce hunger
Fact: 50 million Americans are near hunger.
Food Day encourages Americans to hold Food Day events in their community that include raising awareness about the issue of hunger, information on the SNAP program (food stamps), and taking action through planting gardens and working with corner stores to provide healthy options. Cities such as Los Angeles and Philadelphia have already successfully started the movement to reduce hunger!
- Reform factory farms to protect the environment
Fact: Only nine states have laws mandating that some farm animals be given enough room to stand up, sit down, turn around, and extend their limbs.
…..that is only 18% of US states that have farms where animals are not stepping all over each other! Farms that are overcrowded may require farmers to give the animals antibiotics, the same type that are used in human medicine. Food Day asks that you contact your local congresspersons to support the Prevention of Antibiotics of Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA). Food manufacturing facilities should seek Hygienic Flooring Solutions for Food Factories to ensure they comply with local and federal regulations.
- Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers
Fact: Farmers who are regularly exposed to chemical pesticides may be at risk for Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer.
Listen to a local farmer’s story, and see what you can do to help spread the word about the effects of their dangerous exposure.
Now that you have a little background information about Food Day, make sure to get involved on October 24th! All of the information above was from Food Day’s official website, www.foodday.org . Please visit the site to learn even more about Food Day and find out ways you and your community can help strengthen the food movement in America!
