Raj Patel

University events call attention to food access issues in Miami and celebrate national movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food

 CORAL GABLES, Fla. (October 11, 2017)—University of Miami students, faculty, staff and Miami residents will observe  Food Day—the nationwide celebration of healthy, affordable, sustainably produced food and the grassroots campaign for better food policies—on Tuesday, October 24, with a keynote talk by award winning writer, activist, and academic Raj Patel and a Fair Food Fair on Wednesday, October 25 at the UC Whitten Lower Lounge.

Patel, research professor in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin and a senior research associate at the Unit for the Humanities at the university currently known as Rhodes University (UHURU) in South Africa, will discuss “The World that Food Made” in Shoma Hall at 6 p.m. By linking food security to equality and environmental sustainability, he will show how his work in Malawi can help us gain better insight into the food system here in the U.S.

The following day, the Coral Gables campus will be buzzing with student and community organizations, as well as local food vendors. From early morning to late afternoon, students, faculty, and Miami residents can taste and purchase locally grown treats at the Farmer’s Market and learn about local food issues at the Fair Food Fair at the UC Whitten Lower Lounge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come enjoy a free smoothie, crepes, vegan recipes, learn about healthy eating, urban farming, community gardens, and get involved with the Miami Dade Real Food network.

Organized by the Office of Civic and Community Engagement, in partnership with the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, the Office of Sustainability–Green U, and the Student Government ECO Agency, UM’s Food Day celebration is among thousands of events in all 50 states aimed at promoting healthy, affordable, and sustainably produced food. All year round, Food Day is devoted to mobilizing support for policies that advance healthier diets, promote sustainable and organic agriculture, reduce hunger, reform factory farms, and support fair working conditions for food and farm workers.

“We’re happy that this event has become an important sustainability tradition here at UM,” says Scot Evans, the acting director of UM’s office of Civic and Community Engagement. “The need to confront issues of food insecurity and to develop sustainable food systems in our community is critical. We are excited to work with student organizations and local community partners to raise awareness and promote solutions for South Florida.”