NSRL participates in World Food Day at Danforth Plant Science Center

Over 3,000 people converged at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis over the weekend to do their part in combating hunger. Over a two day time period half a million meal packages were assembled. Six people can be fed from a meal package for a cost of less than 25cents per serving. The meal packages contain rice, soy protein, dried vegetables and vitamins. The meal packages are destined for a children's center in Tanga, Tanzania, in sub-Saharan Africa.

NSRL was part of the World Food Day event through our soybean biodiesel kit and curriculum. Volunteers had the opportunity to spend time in the Science Highlights section of the Center where they engaged in interactive exhibits related to plant science and how it connects to hunger.

When they stopped by the NSRL exhibit, visitors learned about the process of producing biodiesel. Volunteers saw first hand the biodiesel kit created at the U of I through a collaboration between NSRL and ITCS. This unique biodiesel kit can be used by high school students in their science, industrial technologies or agricultural classes to learn more about soybeans, renewable sustainable fuels and energy consumption. While visiting the NSRL biodiesel exhibit, volunteers also had the opportunity to zoom a speed boat, traverse a tractor and race a sports car all of which represent vehicles that can be powered by biodiesel.

A child dies every six seconds from malnutrition and we focus our international development efforts on programs that provide nutrition support in areas around the world that face extreme challenges of malnutrition and chronic disease. It was exhilarating to be part of a program that brings people out for a good cause and provides the chance to learn about science and how they can be part of the solution. This was the second year for this event and NSRL's first year to participate. We were blown away by the enthusiasm of the volunteers, the dedication of the the staff at the Danforth Plant Science Center and the commitment from sponsors and partners.

We are already thinking about how we can be part of the 2012 World Food Day celebration.

Warmest Regards,

Bridget