“Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition.” That is the official theme for this year’s World Food Day. It’s a theme that will be addressed by Jodi Koberinski, executive director of the Organic Council of Ontario, during her October 16th Whole Foods Speaker Series presentation at the Central YMCA. In “The ‘O’ Word: Demanding Organic for Health,” Koberinski will speak about the role organic plays in feeding the world by focusing on nutrition.
Organic products have seen a steady increase in demand of 10-15 percent per year since the early 1990s, and have topped one billion dollars in sales in Ontario. As more and more consumers discover a deeper connection with food, and realize the health and environmental benefits of organics, choosing this option may be the most obvious choice. Koberinski also mentions that organic products provides “traceability and quality assurance,” and can also provide consumers with a sense of comfort if they “question the safety and lack of evidence for some of the claims made by chemical agriculture’s lobby.”
On the issue of food security, Koberinski says industrial agriculture is arguing for a 70 percent increase in production “to feed the world.” However over 40 percent of the food we grow and make is currently being thrown out. Instead, Koberinski states that we need to move towards “evidence-based models for understanding our management systems and food choices where our health is concerned.” Furthermore, she adds that the “United Nation’s food organization says small scale, diverse agro-ecological farming is the way forward to end world hunger.”
One of the core values of the organic sector is that “food is the foundation of health.” For this reason, the Organic Council of Ontario is inviting two additional speakers to Wednesday’s presentation. Youth campaigner Rachel Parent of the Kids Right to Know campaign will make a special introduction. And Harry Stoddart, an economist, farmer, and author will also share his thoughts on where agriculture needs to go and address the “what’s next?” question.
Join the conversation and learn more about what organics can do for your health.
Event: The ‘O’ Word: Demanding Organic for Health
Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 (World Food Day)
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Central YMCA (20 Grosvenor St.)
Cost: Free
