World Food Day seeks to highlight public awareness of the world food shortage and to strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.
According to the United Nations, there are 795 million undernourished people in the world. The UN has identified economic growth and sustainable agriculture as key factors to reducing hunger.
The theme for this year is “Social Protection and agriculture: breaking the cycle of rural poverty”.
The Western Cape Government will commemorate the day later this month in Pella, Atlantis.
Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, said South Africa’s undernourishment level remains close to five percent. MEC Winde added that equipping residents with the skills they needed to produce their own food was key.
“Food security is an important focus for the Western Cape. This is why the Provincial Department of Agriculture supports household and food garden initiatives across the province. In this financial year, we have committed R12 million to a range of these projects.”
MEC Winde added that food gardens have larger economic potential.
“We are looking at ways of increasing market access for these communal food gardens. There is a definite demand for high-quality produce. We believe sustainable economic benefits can be derived from these ventures,” said MEC Winde. In some cases, the food gardeners supported by the Western Cape Government already supply small local markets from which they derive funding to replant their crops.
On Friday, 23 October, MEC Winde, and the City of Cape Town will be handing over non-perishable food to community organisations in Pella. MEC Winde will deliver the keynote address at the event.
There will be a focus on sustainable projects delivered by the Provincial Department of Agriculture and sponsors such as SABMiller and Shoprite.
Local beneficiaries will receive the supplies and the training they need to produce their own food.
Other government departments will also deliver presentations at the event, including the Departments of Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Land Reform and Social Development.
World Food Day is part of the Comprehensive Rural Development Plan and Pella is one of the 15 development nodes in the Western Cape. Media are invited to attend the event, which kicks off with a tour of the projects.
Date: Friday, 23 October 2015
Time: 8h00 Following the tour, the formal programme starts at 9h30
Venue: Gather at Pella Primary School (Pella main Road) before departing on a tour of the various projects in the area.
For media queries, kindly contact:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
Email: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
