There will be no fried foods served in the cafe at Hennepin County Medical Center on Monday, October 24. On the same day, the Emergency Foodshelf Network will be partnering with the IDS Center to conduct a food drive. Throughout that day, a "Food Expo" will be held at the Coffman Student Union on the University of Minnesota's campus. And that's just a few of the events in Minneapolis that will mark the first national Food Day, which from this year forward will be recognized annually on October 24.
Food Day will bring together Americans from all walks of life who will be organizing and participating in events to draw attention to a "real food" movement – "healthy, affordable and delicious food produced in a sustainable and humane way." With one in four Minnesotans obese, and with studies showing that our state spends more than one billion dollars annually in obesity-related health care, every day should be "Food Day" in Minnesota. But having a single day to think about our diet and where our food comes from is a good beginning. Food Day provides an opportunity for all Minnesotans to eat healthier, engage in conversations about food, attend food-related events around the state and become advocates for a healthier nation. Food Day organizers are asking Americans to support their goals of:
- Reducing diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods
- Supporting sustainable farms and limiting subsidies to big agribusiness
- Expanding access to food and alleviating hunger
- Protecting the environment and animals by reforming factory farms
- Promoting health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids
- Supporting fair conditions for food and farm workers
It's their "Eat Real" agenda, and it's a good one. To learn more about Food Day and to send a message to your members of Congress in support of these goals, visit www.foodday.org.
