Widener to Celebrate National Food Day Oct. 24

Events call attention to food access issues in Chester and celebrate the national movement for healthy, affordable and sustainable food

CHESTER, Pa. –Widener University has planned a series of educational events to celebrate Food Day—the nationwide celebration and movement toward more healthy, affordable and sustainable food and a better food system. A majority of the university’s events, which are all free and open to the public, will take place on Food Day, which falls every year on Oct. 24.

“Food Day is an opportunity to celebrate real food and the growing movement to fix the food system,” said Dr. Caryl Carpenter, chair of Widener University’s Food Day Committee. “We invite community members to visit our campus to join this movement and learn how they can advocate all year long for one of the Food Day priorities, whether it is fighting hunger in their neighborhood or adopting healthier diets.”

Widener’s Main Campus Food Day events include:

Thursday, Oct. 24; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Community Partner Fair and Student Poster Display on Food Day Priorities; University Center Atrium

• Obtain information related to Food Day initiatives – and healthy snacks – provided by ARAMARK, Greener Partners and Philabundance. Learn more about Food Day through posters created by Widener students.
• See  how sixth grade students in the Soccer for Success Program are benefiting from healthy diets advocated by the program when they put their energy and strength on display by performing soccer drills from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 24; 7 p.m. – Lecture and Discussion around the Food Day Priorities; Freedom Hall Amphitheater, Room 122

• Hear about the importance of sustainable farming – one of the Food Day priorities – from Dr. Stephen Madigosky, professor of environmental science. Madigosky has personally helped establish and support sustainable ventures throughout the Amazon.
• Learn about future possibilities for food production that could help fight food insecurity from Dan Hartney, a senior business management major and Oskin Leader who is working on a project to use innovative agricultural techniques to address world hunger.

In addition to the events outlined above, the Widener Student Education Association has planned an educational seminar for Widener Partnership Charter School students focused on gaining access to healthy food and healthy eating in conjunction with Hillside Farms and Philabundance. This event takes place onTuesday, Oct. 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Widener Partnership Charter School.

For more information about any of Widener’s Food Day events, contact Allyson Roberts atalroberts@widener.edu or 610-499-4244.

Food Day is a chance to celebrate what our food system does right and take action to bring us closer to a food system with “real food” that is produced with care for the environment, animals and the women and men who grow, harvest and serve it. Food Day’s priorities are to:

• Promote safer, healthier diets
• Support sustainable and organic farms
• Reduce hunger
• Reform factory farms to protect the environment
• Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers