Marion Nestle

16 October 2009

Dr. Marion Nestle Delivered the 6th annual McGovern Lecture, October 16, 2009

(Ambassador Cousin’s Introduction of Dr. Marion Nestle)

McGovern Lecture
FAO, Green Room, October 16, 1430

A very warm welcome to everyone, I am the new U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies in Rome. Thank you for joining us this beautiful afternoon of World Food Day.

When First Lady Michelle Obama tore up a patch of the White House lawn earlier this year, she became an actor in a larger food movement that has spread across the United States – a movement for fresh, healthy, locally grown food.

As we celebrate World Food Day today in Rome what you may not know is that there is a growing awareness the United States about the importance of knowing our farmers, knowing our food, and improving our diets – not only for us as individuals and for our families and communities, but for our planet and in support of the world’s hungry.

In light of the food crisis Americans are increasingly voicing their desire for a more sustainable food system. In fact, this year seven million U.S. households joined the Obamas and planted a lawn garden.

In times of crisis we have a window of opportunity to re-examine not only our ways of doing business, and the structure of our institutions and our food systems, but also our personal relationship with food.

Today the U.S. Mission is delighted to partner with the FAO in hosting the 6 th annual lecture in honor of George McGovern, a great leader in the fight to end hunger. We know that one key aspect of reaching that the Millennium Development Goal of cutting hunger in half is improving nutrition levels worldwide. It is one of FAO’s mandates and a guiding force behind the life and work of George McGovern.

It is indeed a great pleasure to introduce Dr. Marion Nestle, a well-respected academic from New York University and food commentator and blogger. Dr. Nestle is an award-winning author of books on food politics, healthy food choices, and food security. We are so fortunate to have her here today to share her views on the future of food.

We’ll give away twenty of her books after the lecture so hang on to your tickets and we’ll announce the winners at the end of the hour.

But I hope you won’t run away after the lecture and will stay with us to watch “Fresh” – a fascinating documentary that celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people across America who are reinventing the U.S. food system – making it work better.

Fresh is one of a series of films released in recent years that examine the environmental, social, and economic aspects of food production and consumption.

As we have considered this week “How to Feed the World in 2050,” how to best shape world food security committee of FAO, and how we work to create a world without hunger, I hope Dr. Nestle’s words and the film will give our UN family food for thought and that you’ll join me in the coming months for similar films and discussions.

Dr. Nestle, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy teaching and speaking schedule to share your wisdom with this diverse, international audience. The floor is yours.