Each year, to commemorate World Food Day, the three United States Missions in Italy – the U.S. Embassy to Italy, the U.S. Mission to the U.N. Agencies and the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See – join together to participate in FAO’s Run for Food race. The annual event serves as a reminder that nearly one sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger and malnutrition.
This year, the three U.S. Missions in Rome brought together the largest group to date, with 175 registered participants from the U.S. Missions, as well as students from Loyola University Chicago – Rome Centre. The U.S. raised nearly €2,000 in donations for FAO TeleFood projects in the Horn of Africa, which will be used to help finance impoverished families’ agriculture, livestock and fisheries projects.
Everyone gathered under a tree outside of Stadium Terme di Caracalla to collect Run for Food t-shirts and numbers before the race began. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies, Ertharin Cousin, jogged alongside the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz, and Carl Lewis, a renowned Olympic gold medalist and FAO Goodwill Ambassador.
After the race, Ambassador Cousin invited all U.S. Mission participants to join her at her residence for a post-race BBQ. The luncheon was a great success, and everyone gathered on the terrace for food, music and group photos. We are looking forward to the three U.S. Missions’ continued participation in the Run for Food race in coming years.
