WORLD FOOD DAY USDA APRON - OCTOBER 16, 1997 Releases No. 0363.97 Remarks OF SECRETARY DAN GLICKMAN WORLD FOOD DAY USDA APRON - OCTOBER 16, 1997 Welcome everyone! Thank you for joining us. Joining me today from Maryland is Natalie Dobi, one of the East Coast's finest organic farmers. I'd also like to thank Leon Crump, of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, for coming all the way from South Carolina. He got here in spite of a flat tire along the way. I'd also like to thank American Farmland Trust for being here today, and for the work they do everyday to educate Americans about the importance of preserving our farmlands. I'd also like to share with all of you a letter that I received recently: [READ TWO PARAGRAPH LETTER... ...FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON]. Those of you who are frequent customers may notice that something's different today. We've moved from the side parking lot to the main entrance of USDA's headquarters. I wanted to bring our farmers' market up front and center because today is World Food Day. I realize that my choice of venues may leave many of you questioning my grasp of geography. You may be thinking: Why on World Food Day is the Secretary of Agriculture standing next to his driveway in Washington, D.C., talking about farmers' markets? I'll take that question. I'm here to talk about hunger and the capacity of governments, farmers and all people to make a difference. Last year, I led the U.S. delegation to the World Food Summit in Rome. There, I pledged the leadership of our nation in seeking to cut the ranks of the world's hungry by half. But I also made a pledge to myself, one that is shared by millions of people across our country: ...We will eliminate hunger here in America. In the world's most prosperous and agriculturally abundant nation, there should be no question about it: We can beat hunger. It is a question of will. Our nation has the strongest federal anti-hunger safety net known to man -- food stamps, school lunches and breakfasts the Women, Infants and Children program. But anyone who's spent time in a soup kitchen or walking this city's streets knows that government programs are not enough. Of course,' people say, that's why we have charities.' It's true: They do an amazing job. But the fact is there are more hungry families in line at food banks today than there is food on-hand there to help them. USA Today just did a big article on the shortage. It's unacceptable. Each of us must step in and fill the gap. One way that this Administration helps is by empowering communities to fight hunger on their own turf. In keeping with this year's World Food Day theme, I'd like to announce some Investing in Food Security' that this Administration is doing. Today, USDA is giving $2.5 million to 18 grass-roots food projects across the country. These Community Food Projects grants will help low-income neighborhoods achieve greater self-reliance in meeting local food and nutrition needs by -- offering business development funds for affordable retail opportunities; helping educate low-income families about how to stretch their food dollar in nutritious ways; and striking at a root cause of hunger -- the lack of economic opportunity through funds for education and job training. 15 of the grants also include money to help boost farmers markets. Which gets me back to my original question: What does world hunger have to do with this market? The answer is: Everything. When a grocery store leaves an inner-city neighborhood, farmers' markets often come in and fill the gap. This ensures wholesome, affordable farm-fresh produce for families who might otherwise go without. Many vendors accept WIC coupons, so pregnant moms and their kids can get the nutrition that's essential to a healthy start in life. It's a good deal for farmers, too. By selling directly to consumers, they keep the full value of their hard work for themselves. Last year, farmers markets did more than $1 billion in business with most of the money going directly to small family farmers who really need that income. So the customers and vendors are smiling, but they're not the only ones. I mentioned the need for all of us to step in and fill the gap between the hungry and the food that's available to them. Farmers have really stepped up to the plate. They have a natural instinct to not to want to see good food go to waste. That's a good part of the reason why, while charitable donations of processed foods are down, donations of fresh fruits and vegetables are up -- thanks to the goodwill of retailers, wholesalers, and farmers like those you see all around you today. Last year, USDA's farmers market vendors donated more than 3,300 pounds of unsold fresh produce to the D.C. Central Kitchen. That's an amazing number. But let me tell you: what a difference a year makes. Today, the generosity of these vendors is expected to pass the 10,000 pound mark for the 98 season which is still in progress. That's 10,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables that will go to hungry District families instead of to a dumpster. I encourage everyone to pick up some good food here today, and say thank you. So here I am, on World Food Day, at a farmers market. I'm here because I've found that when you speak about hunger only in the global context -- -- sub-Saharan Africa, North Korea and elsewhere -- it's easy for people to throw up their hands. Instead, I urge folks to act locally: Patronize businesses that donate excess food. Ask others to do the same. Volunteer. Challenge your neighbors, your church, your employer, your government to do more. We are the strongest country in the world. We can destroy the one enemy that has never known defeat, but it will take each of us lending a hand against hunger. Today, World Food Day, I urge everyone to roll up their sleeves and reach. Thank you. Now, I'd like to turn things over to Leon Crump, of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. # NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet. Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov