Reps. Pingree, Jenkins, McGovern, and Young Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize World Food Day

Press Release

Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and David Young (R-Iowa)--co-chairs of the House Food Waste Caucus--as well as Lynn Jenkins (R-Kansas) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)--co-chairs of the House Hunger Caucus--have together introduced H.Res. 1113, a resolution in the House designating tomorrow, October 16, 2018, as "World Food Day."

Each year, the United States joins 130 other nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in celebrating World Food Day to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from chronic hunger.

"Hunger is as much a problem of access as it is of production. In many parts of the world, war, climate change, and natural disaster have seriously cut the food supply. But here in the United States we produce so much food that 40 percent of its goes to waste while 50 million Americans don't have reliable access to it," said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. "For the sake of the 1 in 4 children who are food insecure in my home state and the hundreds of millions of undernourished people around the globe, we must address both problems. I fully support the FAO's goal of zero hunger by 2030, and am proud to raise awareness of that worthy goal and World Food Day with this resolution."

"The United States continues to be the leader in agricultural advancements, and I am proud of the great agricultural research produced in Kansas that furthers our nation's ability to be a global food producer," said Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. "Farmers and ranchers are key to bringing an end to global food shortages and preserving the lives of millions of people. Recognizing and raising awareness of October 16 as World Food Day is a great way to promote action to end hunger around the world."

"Despite how far we've come, there are hundreds of millions of people around the world who still wonder where their next meal will come from," said Congressman Jim McGovern. "There's simply no excuse for the level of world hunger we currently see. We must continue the fight against food insecurity until everyone in the United States and around the world has access to the basic human right of adequate food. The U.S. and all other nations must also do more to effectively address the root causes driving the increase in global hunger -- war, conflict, natural disaster and the changing climate. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals include ending hunger by 2030. Solving hunger is possible in our lifetime -- and I am proud to support World Food Day to raise awareness and support for this ambitious goal."

"World Food Day is a reminder that millions go hungry every day and that we must work together to ensure everyone has access to the food they need,' said Congressman David Young. "With the global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, Iowans are stepping up to help underdeveloped nations by showing others how to grow nutritious food sustainably. I'm committed to raising awareness and advancing solutions to recognize how food waste undermines food security."

"The United States and FAO share a vision for a hunger-free and healthy world that can be achieved together. The United States' robust partnership with FAO is essential to achieving global hunger targets, alleviating rural poverty, and provides an invaluable return on investment for the U.S.," said Vimlendra Sharan, the Director of the FAO Liaison Office in North America said. "We are grateful to see leaders in Congress continually fighting for policies that effectively reduce hunger; and today I am pleased to join these members in highlighting the everyday actions that Americans can take and continue to take in order to eradicate hunger."

Background on Global Hunger and World Food Day
After a period of decline, global hunger is on the rise again for the third year in a row. Today, over 821 million people -- one out every nine people -- suffer from chronic undernourishment, according to FAO's recent State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2018 report.

Prolonged conflict and extreme weather events are key driving factors reversing the progress made for over a decade. Additionally, many countries experience the double burden of hunger and obesity. Rapidly increasing obesity levels now affect one in eight adults or more than 672 million people in the world, according to FAO.

World Food Day 2018 is an important opportunity to emphasize that hunger can be eradicated in our lifetime by working together. This year's theme calls for an increase in global action to achieve Zero hunger: Our actions are our future. A #ZeroHunger world by 2030 is possible.

To find out more ways you can take action to achieve a hunger-free world and celebrate World Food Day on October 16 and all year long, please visit http://www.fao.org/world-food-day.

Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Boozman (R-Mont.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) are leading a similar resolution in the Senate.