World Food Day will be observed next Saturday, October 16, but, celebrations to mark the occasion will get under way from this weekend.
Under the theme "United Against Hunger", the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, will stage a number of initiatives which are designed to encourage Barbadians to join the rest of the world in the fight against hunger.
A church service at Restoration Ministries, Olympus Theatres, Sheraton Mall, Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church, will be held this Sunday, October 10, at 7:00 a.m., to officially start the week of activities.
On Tuesday, October 12, a home gardening exhibit will be held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Graeme Hall, Christ Church, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be displays of greenhouses, hydroponic systems and the different methods of growing vegetables and herbs.
Representatives from the Sustainable Barbados Recycling Centre, the Central Agronomic Research Station, the 4-H Club and other gardening enthusiasts, will also be on hand to display their products and services.
On Saturday, October 16, World Food Day, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Sports Club, will host a 5 kilometre walk, which will begin and end at the Bay Street Esplanade, St. Michael, from 6:00 a.m.
After the walk has been completed, the World Food Day Food Drive will begin at 8:00 a.m. and run until 1:00 p.m. at that location. Barrels will be placed in front of the Esplanade and the public is invited to donate food items which will then be given to the Salvation Army for use in their feeding programmes.
During the day, persons will also be able to sign the "1 billion hungry" petition which aims to end hunger. sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb