World Food Day is officially celebrated on Oct. 16 throughout the world. The University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix will observe the day on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
There is no admission fee. Those attending are asked to bring a non-perishable item for the food drive, which will be donated to local food banks.
A formal opening ceremony will be held to kick off the many activities and educational workshops. These include:
Youth Activities:
-4-H Youth “Super Chef” Competition from 12:30 to 3:45 p.m.
-House of Cans competition from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m
Educational Workshops in the UVI Great Hall:
-Nutritional Values of Chicken from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.
-Carambola Production from 2:55 to 3:25 p.m
-Production of Leafy Greens Focusing on Kale and Lettuce from 3:35 to 4:05 p.m.
-Vegetable seedlings will be distributed from 2:00 p.m. until gone.
Entertainment will continue throughout the day, featuring DJ Swain, Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, St. Croix Martial Arts Center, St. Croix Heritage Dancers, and Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies.
World Food Day was started by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization in 1979. Although the organization began in the 1960s, it was decided to have a yearly official recognition day to raise awareness about world hunger on October 16.
According to the UN, over 2.8 billion people throughout the world are unable to secure a healthy diet. Weather, conflicts, poverty, inequality, and lack of medical care are factors. Children are without adequate food in places where war and conflict are happening.
The 2024 World Food Day theme is: “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future.” The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says “food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food”.
“I invite the public to commemorate World Food Day at UVI,” Osman Adamu, UVI dean and director of the School of Agriculture, said. “Through the work of the School of Agriculture, we hope to continue to improve and increase access to healthy and nutritious food for a better life and a better future for the people of the Virgin Islands and their families,” he continued.
