Roz Purcell, cookery author and World Vision Ireland ambassador, spoke about the importance of food sustainability, and the role it can play in ending global hunger, yesterday at the Smock Alley Theatre.
842 million people worldwide are hungry with 827 million of these living in developing countries. World Vision Ireland is encouraging sustainable food consumption, so that people can play a local part in ending a global problem.
The cooking and information evening, called ‘Bring to the Table’ was run by World Vision Ireland. It focused on food sustainability and nutrition concerns with an expert panel over a unique, three-course dinner. Each course was prepared using ingredients available in either a developing country, a refugee camp, or made with sustainable Irish foods.
The expert panel included sustainability chef, Conor Spacey; cookery author, Roz Purcell; immigrant activist, Ellie Kisyombe; Zimbabwean farmer, Elizabeth Gwewo; and World Vision Ireland’s Programmes Director, Maurice Sadlier.
“It was amazing seeing so many people talking about food sustainability in one room.” Roz Purcell said. “I think people are really waking up to the realities of climate change. It’s devastating environmental impacts include crop failure, food shortages, drought and displaced communities. I’m thrilled to be able to talk about an issue I’m really passionate about, and to look at positive solutions we can all make in our daily cooking routines, to improve our food sustainability.”
“Global hunger is a challenge that has a solution.” Conor Spacey said. “It’s not just about giving a community food for an indefinite amount of time. It’s about encouraging sustainable food growth, cooking and teaching. Sustainable development has positive environmental and economic effects, with better consumption and production alignment. It also has a positive human impact. If implemented correctly on an international scale, it means that no parent will have to see their children go to bed at night, hungry.”
The ‘Bring to the Table’ event was a part of the Irish Aid public engagement work. World Vision Ireland’s HungerFree campaign is supported by Irish Aid. It will run until the end of October, focusing on food sustainability and global hunger. For more information, follow World Vision Ireland on Twitter – @WorldVisionIre
Picture credit: Mark Stedman