Thousands of Food Day events encourage Americans to ‘eat real’

Published: October 9, 2011Posted in: Features
Thousands of Food Day events encourage Americans to ‘eat real’



Marie Rietmann has returned to her first love.
As sustainable agriculture and food security liaison for the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries, Rietmann is heading up a short-term assignment as outreach director for national Food Day – which actually runs for nine days. It begins with World Food Day on Oct. 16 and continues through Oct. 24.
“I grew up on this integrated grain and livestock operation in north central Oregon,” said Rietmann, who has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. “It was a family farm. I think anyone who grows up in a setting like that … it stays with you. It makes a powerful impact.
“I worked for three Congress members for 10 years and did agriculture policy. The bulk of my work until the past year or so was peace and security, with agriculture on the side, but now it’s mainly agriculture.”
Rietmann has been focusing on the run-up to Food Day, talking with national faith groups and plotting as many points of participation on the map as possible. “We passed the 1,000-events mark about two weeks ago, and it’s just growing all the time,” she said. Events around the country are posted on www.foodday.org.
Food Day is inspiring Americans to organize thousands of events in schools, college campuses, houses of worship and private homes – all aimed at fixing America’s food system. A Food Day event could be as small as a parent organizing a vegetable identification contest at a kindergarten class or a family having a healthful potluck dinner with friends—or as massive as a rally in a city park, with entertainment and healthy food.
The Rev. Patricia de Jong, senior pastor of First Congregational UCC of Berkeley, Calif., serves on the advisory board of Food Day.
“People of faith talk a lot about spiritual food and well-being,” said de Jong. “We also need to be mindful of our physical health and the actual food we take into our bodies. It’s all sacred.”
Organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Food Day will encourage people nationwide to sponsor or participate in activities that encourage Americans to “eat real” and support healthful, affordable food grown in a sustainable way.
“All Americans will benefit from greater understanding and appreciation of food, agriculture, and nutrition—spanning the food chain from farm families to family tables,” said Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and an honorary co-chair of Food Day.
Food Day is led by honorary co-chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) along with Harkin and advisory board members to include author Michael Pollan; former Surgeon General David Satcher; nutrition authorities Marion Nestle and Kelly Brownell; and chefs Nora Pouillon and Alice Waters.
“The most interesting and fun thing about Food Day is when you go on the map of events all over the country, and pretty much wherever you live, you type in your town and there’s a fun and spirit-filled event happening nearby,” said Rietmann. “I recommend that people check that out, go to an event in their community, and participate.”
To find faith resources, visit www.churchworldservice.org  and look for “World Food Day 2011.”

Marie Rietmann has returned to her first love.

As sustainable agriculture and food security liaison for the the United Church of Christ’s Justice and Witness Ministries, Rietmann is heading up a short-term assignment as outreach director for national Food Day – which actually runs for nine days. It begins with World Food Day on Oct. 16 and continues through Oct. 24.

“I grew up on this integrated grain and livestock operation in north central Oregon,” said Rietmann, who has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. “It was a family farm. I think anyone who grows up in a setting like that … it stays with you. It makes a powerful impact.

“I worked for three Congress members for 10 years and did agriculture policy. The bulk of my work until the past year or so was peace and security, with agriculture on the side, but now it’s mainly agriculture.”

Rietmann has been focusing on the run-up to Food Day, talking with national faith groups and plotting as many points of participation on the map as possible. “We passed the 1,000-events mark about two weeks ago, and it’s just growing all the time,” she said. Events around the country are posted on www.foodday.org.

Food Day is inspiring Americans to organize thousands of events in schools, college campuses, houses of worship and private homes – all aimed at fixing America’s food system. A Food Day event could be as small as a parent organizing a vegetable identification contest at a kindergarten class or a family having a healthful potluck dinner with friends—or as massive as a rally in a city park, with entertainment and healthy food.

The Rev. Patricia de Jong, senior pastor of First Congregational UCC of Berkeley, Calif., serves on the advisory board of Food Day.

“People of faith talk a lot about spiritual food and well-being,” said de Jong. “We also need to be mindful of our physical health and the actual food we take into our bodies. It’s all sacred.”

Organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Food Day will encourage people nationwide to sponsor or participate in activities that encourage Americans to “eat real” and support healthful, affordable food grown in a sustainable way.

“All Americans will benefit from greater understanding and appreciation of food, agriculture, and nutrition—spanning the food chain from farm families to family tables,” said Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and an honorary co-chair of Food Day.

Food Day is led by honorary co-chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) along with Harkin and advisory board members to include author Michael Pollan; former Surgeon General David Satcher; nutrition authorities Marion Nestle and Kelly Brownell; and chefs Nora Pouillon and Alice Waters.

“The most interesting and fun thing about Food Day is when you go on the map of events all over the country, and pretty much wherever you live, you type in your town and there’s a fun and spirit-filled event happening nearby,” said Rietmann. “I recommend that people check that out, go to an event in their community, and participate.”

To find faith resources, visit www.churchworldservice.org and look for “World Food Day 2011.”


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