Partnership to address meal scarcity, hunger

FOOD scarcity and hunger continue to be a scourge that haunts countless poor people of poverty-ridden, and sometimes not so impoverished, countries in the world.

This was highlighted by yesterday’s global commemoration of World Food Day, aiming to raise awareness about food scarcity and hunger.

More than 150 countries hosted events marking the day, which honours the founding of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the UN in 1945. Global hunger relief organisation Rise Against Hunger (RAH) and Tastic Rice have jointly committed to donate and distribute more than 5 million food parcel meals to early childhood development centres in South Africa next year.

Rise Against Hunger is already distributing food aid to end hunger by 2030, while Tastic Rice has committed to provide enough rice to pack meals for a year, equating to more than 5 million meals for the less fortunate in 2019, according RAH operations manager Brian Nell.

He said RAH had increased its support from 9 000 to more than 66 000 beneficiaries who receive five nutritional meals a week.

Tiger Brands rice and pasta marketing director Thembi Sehloho said: “While we have committed to this amount (over 5 million food parcel meals) for this year, we will review our position on the anniversary of the launch.

“We will then be able to assess any additions and changes that may be required for the next three to five years.”