| Press Release |
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| October 12, 2007 |
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Governor Kulongoski Declares Oregon Harvest Week
The week of October 12-19, 2007 is proclaimed Oregon Harvest Week
Salem -Governor Ted Kulongoski today proclaimed the week of October 12-19, 2007 to be this year’s Oregon Harvest Week.
“The fall harvest time is about giving thanks and remembering all of the things we have to be thankful for,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Oregon Harvest Week is an opportunity to remember that too many Oregonians are still going hungry and to continue our efforts to ensure everyone has the food they need to live healthy and successful lives.”
Oregon Harvest Week was initiated by the Governor in 2003 to raise awareness about the issues surrounding hunger in Oregon and has grown in scope each year. In April of this year as part of Hunger Awareness Week, Governor Kulongoski spent a week living on a limited food budget as part of the “Food Stamp Challenge.” Building on that experience, Harvest Week is focusing on the health consequences of food insecurity and hunger.
“When people don’t have enough to eat, it is more difficult to stay healthy and children in particular need good nutrition to thrive, grow and learn,” said Governor Kulongoski. “That’s not only a burden for their families but affects the entire community.”
In recognition of the important link between nutrition, health, and hunger, the Governor has awarded the 3rd annual “Mahonia Food Industry Award for Hunger Relief” to Pacific Natural Foods. The Governor honored the company for its commitment to fighting hunger through its support of the Oregon Food Bank. The Mahonia Food Industry award was created in 2004 to recognize members of Oregon’s Food Industry – including growers, processors, wholesalers, distributors and retailers—who are vital partners in the fight against hunger.
In addition, members of the Oregon Health Fund Board, the Oregon Childhood Hunger Initiative, and the Community Health Partnership are focusing on the connection between hunger and nutrition by partnering with the Governor to host “Home Harvest Dinners,” a tradition started in 2004 for Oregonians to share a meal together, boost funding for regional food banks and raise awareness of the hunger problem.
“The success we’ve had so far in our fight against hunger is the result of thousands of Oregonians - individuals and organizations - coming together to make a difference, but we are not done yet,” said Governor Kulongoski. “As we all help fight hunger, it’s important that we remember that we’re also fighting for the health of our communities, and the health of our state.”
The Oregon Health Fund Board is charged with developing a plan for reforming Oregon’s health care delivery system. The Oregon Childhood Hunger Initiative is a group of health care professionals, anti-hunger advocates and other interested Oregonians, who are working together to educate the medical community, policy makers, and the general public about the medical, developmental and psycho-social impacts of childhood food insecurity and hunger. The Community Health Partnership, Oregon’s Public Health Institute, is an independent, not-for-profit organization actively engaged in nutrition policy and increasing access to healthy, affordable food for Oregon residents.
To read the Governor’s proclamation on Oregon Harvest Week please visit:
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/harvest_week_proc.pdf
For more information about the Health Fund Board please visit:
http://www.oregon.gov/DAS/OHPPR/HFB/index.shtml
For more information about the Childhood Hunger Initiative please visit:
http://www.governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/letters/children_hunger_initiative.pdf
For more information about Community Health Partnership please visit:
http://www.communityhealthpartnership.org/index.html
Contact:
Patty Wentz, 503-378-6169
Kristina Edmunson, 503-378-5040
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6469
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