University of Arkansas Campus Observes World Food Day

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Guests at the 2010 World Food Day Langar Lunch program Oct. 14 in the Verizon Ballroom in the Arkansas Union share lunch prior to a lecture from professor Curt Rom. Other participants include include Nick Brown, director, office of campus sustainability; Bumpers College Dean Mike Vayda, Susan Brockway, senior community relations manager, Tyson Foods Inc. and board chair, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank; Chris Erwin, Global Campus Business Development; keynote speaker Curt Rom, professor of horticulture; coordinator Phillip Crandall, professor of food science.

Students, faculty and staff participated in a public observance of World Food Day where they enjoyed a free lunch Thursday, Oct. 14, in the Verizon Ballroom in the Arkansas Union. The sponsors of a communitywide food drive were recognized and professor Curt Rom gave a lecture about hunger.

A free Langar lunch of lentil dal and rice was served. The Langar, or free kitchen, is a Sikh tradition designed to uphold the principle of equality among all people.

World Food Day is an international event designed to increase awareness and understanding and to inform yearlong action to alleviate hunger. The University of Arkansas has been named as an official collection site for this year's event. The collection of items was also in conjunction with the third annual Southeastern Conference Together We CAN Food Drive. As of Sept. 26, more than 77,656 pounds of food has been collected for the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. That amount includes the 10-to-1 match committed by Tyson Foods Inc., a chief sponsor for the food drive.

The 2000 Census indicated that Benton and Washington counties are two of the top three counties in Arkansas with the highest percentage of people living below poverty levels. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America and serves more than 125 agencies throughout northwest Arkansas.

World Food Day is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. It is observed each Oct. 16 in recognition of the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945.