Feeding the future: Projects address food security issues

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Now more than ever, food security is an urgent global issue.

Students at Purdue University celebrated Feed the Future Week, as well as other College of Agriculture international projects.

“Our role is to increase the availability of safe, nutrient-dense foods that are vital for human health and development,” said Haley Oliver, food science professor at Purdue. “Together we’re rising to the challenge.”

Here are three projects addressing food security issues:

1. USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program in Trinidad & Tobago — The USAID-funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program provides technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses and other agriculture sector institutions.

The program focuses on developing and transitional countries to promote sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production and marketing. Learn more at tinyurl.com/mcvrcsua.

2. Food Safety Innovation Lab — Purdue is home to two Feed the Future Innovation Labs working to improve nutrition and enhance food security.

Their mission is to reduce the burden of foodborne illness and break the cycle of disease, malnutrition and food insecurity. Learn more at tinyurl.com/y57njpsr

3. Plant Science for Global Food Security — This program is an international research experience for undergraduates.

The National Science Foundation sends eight undergraduate students for six weeks to the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines to participate in hands-on research on rice science. Learn more at tinyurl.com/4syavfyp.