2008 - Year of the Potato

In 2008, the United Nations honours the potato.

At first, the idea is a bit startling. The UN is well known for its efforts to create awareness of the Oceans and Mountains and other really huge influential things -- but potatoes? Well, that is small potatoes, so to speak.

Or is it?

At a time when people in 34 countries are malnourished and more than 25,000 people a day die of starvation, staple crops are becoming the manna of life. While rice, wheat and corn are the world's three most important food crops, the potato is the fourth, feeding people all over the world. In fact, the 'lowly potato' is in the front lines in the fight against poverty.

According to USC Canada "the potato is playing a major role in strategies aimed at providing nutritious food for the poor and hungry. It is ideally suited to places where land is limited and labour is abundant."

The potato crop produces nutritious food more quickly, on less land, and in harsher climates than any other major crop.

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International Aid - According to the United Nations World Food Program, almost all of the deaths from hunger and disease can be stopped and the cost to do this is about $195 billion a year. Twenty-two developed countries have pledged to work towards each giving 0.7% (a little less than 1%) of their national income in international aid, which would raise the $195 billion.

Some have already met their goals, others 'sort of have a plan' and are working on it for 2013 or 2014, while other countries are slow to meet their pledge.

Do you know where your country is at?:

Find out here:

http://www.poverty.com/internationalaid.html

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Play this Game to Ease World Hunger

Today, over 96,574,940 grains of rice were donated to combat starvation, through
the UN's Free Rice game. It's easy! Get one word right and donate 20 grains - the bonus is that you improve your vocabulary as you play!

http://www.freerice.com

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Did You Know?

The potato comes from the Andes, in South America, where it has been consumed for about 8,000 years. It was first taken to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish adventurers interested in its medicinal properties.

There are seven recognized potato species and more than 5,000 potato varieties still growing in the Andes. Potatoes play a critical role in the local farming economy there as well as in the cultural life of the Quechua and Aymara communities who grow them. These farmers still take advantage of its medicinal qualities. The juice of their local varieties helps to control nasty coughs, for example.

The nutritional value of these superior indigenous varieties is also impressive. Unlike the fat, white, starch-filled varieties used to make French fries, the small, colourful, and pockmarked types in the Andes are full of protein, vitamin C, and important antioxidants. And they taste a lot better!

So, here in the land of the McCain brothers (NB) and the famous PEI spuds, why aren't we growing more potatoes in Nova Scotia?

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