"Food Day is a
nationwide celebration and a movement toward more healthy, affordable, and
sustainable food. Food Day, created by Center for Science in the Public
Interest (CSPI), is powered by a diverse coalition of food movement leaders, organizations, and people from all walks
of life. Food Day takes place annually on October 24 to address issues as
varied as health and nutrition, hunger, agricultural policy, animal welfare, and farm
worker justice. The ultimate goal of Food Day is to strengthen and unify the
food movement in order to improve our nation’s food policies.[i]"
As Presbyterians, we must find
solidarity with such a movement as this. We are called by God - a God made
manifest in Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, to feed the hungry in effort to
proclaim God's in-breaking reign on earth. A proven, successful way to help
families by means of basic nutrition is through a robust Farm Bill. If you have
been following our updates, you know that Congress has let the 2008 Farm Bill
expire. Many programs have already lost funding for the rest of this year, and
if nothing is done in the lame-duck session, more programs could be at
risk. It could potentially cut research and development, conservation programs,
as well as assistance for beginning farmers.
In the spirit of Food Day, we invite you to join the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition (NSAC) in signing a petition to demand from Congress a robust Farm Bill. The link to the petition can be found here.
As we continue our day, let us be in
an attitude of prayer as we lift up those in our own country that are hungry. Hear this blessing from the Presbyterian Hunger Program's worship resource for
Food Week of Action[ii]:
"Longing for food, many are hungry;
Longing for water, many still
thirst;
Make us your bread broken for
others,
Shared until all are fed."
Amen.
