FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 15, 2012

Contact: Melisa Augusto, 202-314-3191
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Dan McEvily, 202-314-3104
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WASHINGTON (Oct. 16, 2012) – National Farmers Union (NFU) joined the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today to celebrate World Food Day. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Agricultural Cooperatives: Key to Feeding the World.” World Food Day is observed annually to raise awareness and understanding of approaches to ending hunger.

“With cooperatives serving as an integral part of rural development, both domestically and internationally, it is only fitting that this year’s World Food Day observance highlights the vital importance and benefits of agricultural co-ops,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “NFU and its members have a long history of promoting rural economic and cooperative development, which in turn help family farmers and ranchers add value to the food, fiber and energy they produce.”

NFU’s Director of Communications Melisa Augusto recently traveled to Senegal as part of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) Farmer-to-Farmer Exchange program, which is involved in international cooperative development. In honor of World Food Day, Augusto spoke on a panel that highlighted the role of cooperatives in feeding the world hosted by NCBA.

“Through my travel to Senegal, I was able to see the impact of cooperatives internationally firsthand, and see how we are all connected,” said Augusto. “The opportunity to work with farmers on their own soil made the lessons meaningful to them, as well as furthered my appreciation for the small world we live in. The cooperative model has been successful in both developed and developing countries in helping to feed the world’s hungry.”

For further information on activities taking place in observance of World Food Day, please visit http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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