Frostburg State University Celebrates "Food Day"

Frostburg State University (FSU), in conjunction with Allegany College of Maryland, will celebrate “Food Day” on Monday Oct. 24.  Both institutions will screen the critically acclaimed documentary, “Food Inc.” The first screening will be on Monday, Oct. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in FSU’s Performing Arts Center. There will also be a panel discussion following the movie from 7 to 8 p.m., led by Mimi Hernandez, coordinator of the Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies.  On Tuesday, Oct. 25, there will be a Healthy Hour with local food vendors from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Allegany College of Maryland in the College Center Theater. Another showing of “Food, Inc.” will be presented at 6:30 p.m.  Entrance to all events is free with a can of fruit or vegetables, and all proceeds benefit the Western Maryland Food Bank.

According to their website, “Food Day’s goal is nothing less than to transform the American diet.”  Food Day is a grassroots campaign founded by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to revolutionize the American diet and food industry.  Modeled on Earth Day, thousands of schools across the nation will host Food Day events in order to shift attitudes and approaches towards food.  “Food Day is designed to further knowledge, understanding, and dialogue about critical topics in food, agriculture, and nutrition—spanning the food chain from farm families to family tables,” said Senator Tom Harkin, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and an honorary co-chair of Food Day.

Food day is all about the importance of eating real, fresh food; cutting back on processed foods; and advocating for a healthier community.  “Educating young people about food and nutrition is critical if we are to prevent obesity and other diet-related diseases,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson.

    

The six principles of Food Day:

1. Reduce diet-related diseases by promoting safe, healthy foods

2.  Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3.  Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4.  Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms

5.  Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6.  Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

           

           

For more information, visit www.foodday.org.