The Tribune

THE charge of the non-profit organisation Hands For Hunger can be summed up with a quote by Bahamian performer Ordain Moss: “Let’s take away their pain and hold on to a hand, let’s put our love to work.”

Through its various public events and forums, H4H attempts to engage the local community in meaningful dialogue about unnecessary hunger in our community. Last month, the RBC Royal Bank sponsored H4H’s Food For Thought forum for the second consecutive year.

Food For Thought coincided with World Hunger Day, which was celebrated around the world on May 28.

Attendees, which included Bernadette Christie, wife of Prime Minister Perry Christie, were engaged by several speakers, namely Abigail Asgaralli, executive director of Hands For Hunger; Dr. Selima Campbell-Hauber, founder of the Field to Fork community farm; Donovan Ingraham, nutritionist with the Bahamas Medical Centre, and Tim Hauber, agriculturalist with Lucayan Tropical.

The various presenters focused on the current state of hunger globally and in the Bahamas; the power of food in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, and the importance of supporting local endeavours.

Additionally, local musical artist Ordain Moss performed “Let’s Put Our Love to Work”, a song written to raise funds for H4H initiatives.
The 2014 Food For Thought’s new format played a key role in creating a highly successful event, organisers said.

The occasion was unique in that it was completely interactive, affording participants the opportunity to both share and learn. Many in attendance were surprised to learn of the amount of people that go to bed hungry in the Bahamas. The event encompassed a live cooking demonstration lead by nutritionist Donovan Ingraham, who prepared a wholesome and delicious dish utilising local ingredients.

Guests were also treated to a display which tantalised the senses with the beautiful colours, textures and tastes of homegrown beets, carrots, garlic chives, scarlet plums, native cherries, passion fruit and arugula.

The high quality and standards of the produce displayed, organisers said, debunked the myth that diverse vegetable and fruit species cannot be grown in the Bahamas.
According to H4H research measuring food security in the Bahamas, as many as 28,000 Bahamians face chronic hunger or food insecurity.

Hands For Hunger’s partnering agencies serve more than 9,000 meals per week to those in need of emergency food services.

“World Hunger Day forces us to recognise those who struggle with food security in our world and on our island”, said Ms Asgaralli, executive director.

“The goals of the Food For Thought event are to share knowledge and inspire action around healthy eating and local farming initiatives. RBC’s sponsorship of the event is instrumental to promoting those values and helping Hands For Hunger ensure that we celebrate a healthy Bahamas moving forward.”
“At RBC, we believe that what we do every day matters,” said Nathaniel Beneby, managing director, RBC in the Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands.

“Families throughout New Providence rely on the meals Hands For Hunger provides. RBC is proud to once again sponsor the Food For Thought event. We look forward to our continued partnership with H4H as we work together to help combat hunger in our community.”
To join the fight against hunger, visit the H4H website at www.handsforhunger.org.

The public is also invited to purchase ‘Let’s Put Our Love to Work’ by Ordain Moss on iTunes or Amazon MP3; all proceeds will be donated to H4H.