I'm off in Iowa City today getting an update to my laptop software for work, so thanks Ann for filling in ~Judy
Feeding The World – World Food Prize
Happy 25th Anniversary
Des Moines might sit in the middle of the country, but you wouldn’t know that with the many national and international conventions that come and go. I see this first hand weekly as most of them are hosted either at the Marriott Hotel or the Polk County Convention Center. This week, The World Food Prize will be handed out along with a symposium and a weekend food festival. Here’s a pic of the many flags of the 30 plus countries at the Prize Symposium.
First, some background. The Food Prize is an international Prize (somewhat like the Nobel Prize) created by Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug (1914-2009). Borlaug, a native of Cresco, Iowa is known as the “father of the Green Revolution” for his work in increasing agriculture production around the world. He was a plant breeder who developed a high yielding wheat plant while he was in Mexico (1944-1963) that saved millions around the world. For his efforts, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970.
Fast forward to 1986, Borlaug created the World Food Prize to recognize those who significantly contribute to the world’s food supply. The prize is worth $250,000 and some years, two Laureates are chosen. Like this year, the two are past Presidents of their country, Ghana and Brazil.
Second, The Prize is kicked off with a weekend “world food festival” in the East Village. On Friday, as part of “Walk America” I trotted down to the village to scout out the vendors. Boy, what a surprise, a vendor selling “Trinidad” food. Seriously, this is so wicked to find roti (type of flat bread) chicken and to boot, the family lives in Ankeny. Okay, I got my fill, roti chicken x 3.
Lastly, the Prize has a new home, the former Des Moines Central Library (circa 1903) with a $30 million dollar face lift. What’s more fitting for home of The World Prize to be located in the “heartland of America”. I can’t wait to see the building next week, open house set for October 15th and 16th. I’ll report later on the beauty of this building and the grounds.
Thank you Norman Borlaug for feeding the world ......
“Food is the moral right of who were born into this world.”
Chat Later
That Girl, Ann Marie
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