Food Issues: World Food Day

World Food Day was held on October 12, 2013. It was a global day of action to raise awareness of the need for safe, healthy food and to educate about problems with GMOs (genetically modified food) and the companies that produce them (like Monsanto).

Around 500 people gathered in End of Steel Park to listen to speeches on topics ranging from the corporate takeover of our food to the importance of bees to the ethics of fluoride in our drinking water. We also marched around Whyte Avenue.

One of the most interesting parts of the event for me was hearing organic farmers speak about the impact of corporations in their work, and the danger they feel exist from using seeds that are GMO. Most of these farmers drove several hours to make it to the rally, and admitted they felt rather out of their element!

Of course, in case anyone got hungry, the vegan food truck Sailin' On was available on their last service of the season. All of their food was non-GMO. I had a vegan "BLT" with the "B" replaced with coconut.

To view videos of the event, including speeches and footage from the march, just get started with the video posted below or just click here.

Food Issues: March Against Monsanto

In April, I attended a rally against the use of genetically modified alfalfa. At that time, I heard rumblings of a major rally to take place in May against genetically modified foods in general, aimed specifically against the corporate giant Monsanto.

May 25 was the March Against Monsanto. It was a global day of action that saw many thousands of people around the world marching for food security and safety, promoting organic food and food producers. Here in Edmonton, more than 1000 people took part at the march and rally's peak, which began at End of Steel Park and snaked its way through the Whyte Avenue area, before returning to the park.

It was no coincidence that the location of the march and rally was near one of Edmonton's most popular farmer's markets. The event was as much encouraging people to buy local and organic as it was against corporate domination of our food (and lives in general).

Indeed, the March Against Monsanto is about changing people's attitudes towards food and where and how it is produced rather than just being against a corporation. It is about educating people about their choices and hopefully encouraging them to make choices that are healthier for themselves and the planet. And it is about implementing policies for honest labelling so that people can make these informed choices.

For a full photo set from the event, click here. For videos, click here.