Today is World Food Day.It's a sobering moment to consider the impact that hunger has on more than one billion women, men, and children worldwide. But it can also be an empowering moment. Because we CAN reduce hunger and poverty by working together with poor communities – and by demanding action from our leaders in Congress. At least 70% of the world's poor people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods – but climate change, rising food prices, and unfair trade rules represent extreme challenges to millions of small farmers.
The Global Food Security Act, along with a new global hunger initiative from President Obama, are decisive steps in the right direction. The Global Food Security Act of 2009 [H.R. 3077] was sponsored in the House by Minnesota’s own Rep. Betty McCollum and co-sponsored by Rep. Keith Ellison. These proposals would provide critical resources for investing in agriculture and rural livelihoods – which are both key to reducing poverty. With broad Congressional support, we can invest more – and more wisely – in local agriculture. We can help small farmers find sustainable and innovative ways to rebuild their livelihoods.
Together we can empower millions.
