Latest news with #foodinsecurity
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Wheat becomes battleground as Syria's worst drought in 60 years threatens 16 million
DAMASCUS, June 28 — Rival Syrian and Kurdish producers are scrambling for shrinking wheat harvests as the worst drought in decades follows a devastating war, pushing more than 16 million people toward food insecurity. 'The country has not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years,' said Haya Abu Assaf, assistant to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in Syria. Syria's water levels have seen 'a very significant drop compared to previous years, which is very worrying', Abu Assaf told AFP, as a relatively short winter rainy season and decreased rainfall take their toll. 'A gap of between 2.5 to 2.7 million tonnes in the wheat crop is expected, meaning that the wheat quantity will not be sufficient to meet local needs,' Abu Assaf said, putting 'around 16.3 million people at risk of food insecurity in Syria this year'. Before the civil war erupted in 2011, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tonnes annually. Nearly 14 years of conflict have since crippled production and devastated the economy. The FAO estimates that harsh weather has impacted nearly 2.5 million hectares of wheat-growing land. 'Around 75 per cent of the cultivated areas' have been affected, as well as 'natural pastures for livestock production', said Abu Assaf. Imports, competition To bridge the wheat gap, imports would be essential in a country where around 90 per cent of the population lives in poverty. Before his ouster in an Islamist-led offensive in December, Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad used to rely on ally Russia for wheat. In April, new authorities reported the first wheat shipment since his removal arrived in Latakia port, with more Russian shipments following. Iraq also donated more than 220,000 tonnes of wheat to Syria. During the war, Damascus competed with the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration in the northeast to buy wheat from farmers across fertile lands. Last year, Assad's government priced wheat at US$350 (RM1,480) per tonne, and the Kurds at US$310. After Assad's ouster, Damascus and the Kurds agreed in March to integrate Kurdish-led institutions into the new Syrian state, with negotiations ongoing on implementation. Damascus set wheat prices this month at between US$290 and US$320 per tonne, depending on the quality, plus a US$130 bonus. The Kurdish-led administration offered US$420 per tonne including a US$70 bonus. 'Poverty and hunger' Damascus' agriculture ministry expects a harvest of 300,000 to 350,000 tonnes in government-controlled areas this year. Hassan Othman, director of the Syrian Grain Establishment, acknowledged Syria was not self-sufficient, in comments on state television. But he said authorities were working 'to ensure food security by importing wheat from abroad and milling it in our mills'. In northeast Syria's Amuda, farmer Jamshid Hassu, 65, inspected the tiny wheat grains from his fields, which cover around 200 hectares (around 500 acres). Despite heavy irrigation efforts to offset scarce rainfall, he said, production has halved. The FAO's Abu Assaf said indicators showed that 'about 95 per cent of rain-fed wheat has been damaged and affected', while irrigated wheat yields were down 30 to 40 per cent. Hassu, who has been farming for four decades, said he had to pump water from depths of more than 160 metres (525 feet) to sustain his crops as groundwater levels plunge. Agriculture remains a vital income source in rural Syria, but without urgent support, farmers face ruin. 'Without support, we will not be able to continue,' Hassu warned. 'People will suffer from poverty and hunger.' — AFP
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Wheat turns battleground as Syria's worst drought in 60 years threatens 16 million
DAMASCUS, June 28 — Rival Syrian and Kurdish producers are scrambling for shrinking wheat harvests as the worst drought in decades follows a devastating war, pushing more than 16 million people toward food insecurity. 'The country has not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years,' said Haya Abu Assaf, assistant to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in Syria. Syria's water levels have seen 'a very significant drop compared to previous years, which is very worrying', Abu Assaf told AFP, as a relatively short winter rainy season and decreased rainfall take their toll. 'A gap of between 2.5 to 2.7 million tonnes in the wheat crop is expected, meaning that the wheat quantity will not be sufficient to meet local needs,' Abu Assaf said, putting 'around 16.3 million people at risk of food insecurity in Syria this year'. Before the civil war erupted in 2011, Syria was self-sufficient in wheat, producing an average of 4.1 million tonnes annually. Nearly 14 years of conflict have since crippled production and devastated the economy. The FAO estimates that harsh weather has impacted nearly 2.5 million hectares of wheat-growing land. 'Around 75 per cent of the cultivated areas' have been affected, as well as 'natural pastures for livestock production', said Abu Assaf. Imports, competition To bridge the wheat gap, imports would be essential in a country where around 90 per cent of the population lives in poverty. Before his ouster in an Islamist-led offensive in December, Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad used to rely on ally Russia for wheat. In April, new authorities reported the first wheat shipment since his removal arrived in Latakia port, with more Russian shipments following. Iraq also donated more than 220,000 tonnes of wheat to Syria. During the war, Damascus competed with the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration in the northeast to buy wheat from farmers across fertile lands. Last year, Assad's government priced wheat at US$350 (RM1,480) per tonne, and the Kurds at US$310. After Assad's ouster, Damascus and the Kurds agreed in March to integrate Kurdish-led institutions into the new Syrian state, with negotiations ongoing on implementation. Damascus set wheat prices this month at between US$290 and US$320 per tonne, depending on the quality, plus a US$130 bonus. The Kurdish-led administration offered US$420 per tonne including a US$70 bonus. 'Poverty and hunger' Damascus' agriculture ministry expects a harvest of 300,000 to 350,000 tonnes in government-controlled areas this year. Hassan Othman, director of the Syrian Grain Establishment, acknowledged Syria was not self-sufficient, in comments on state television. But he said authorities were working 'to ensure food security by importing wheat from abroad and milling it in our mills'. In northeast Syria's Amuda, farmer Jamshid Hassu, 65, inspected the tiny wheat grains from his fields, which cover around 200 hectares (around 500 acres). Despite heavy irrigation efforts to offset scarce rainfall, he said, production has halved. The FAO's Abu Assaf said indicators showed that 'about 95 per cent of rain-fed wheat has been damaged and affected', while irrigated wheat yields were down 30 to 40 per cent. Hassu, who has been farming for four decades, said he had to pump water from depths of more than 160 metres (525 feet) to sustain his crops as groundwater levels plunge. Agriculture remains a vital income source in rural Syria, but without urgent support, farmers face ruin. 'Without support, we will not be able to continue,' Hassu warned. 'People will suffer from poverty and hunger.' — AFP
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
StarKist®, Feed the Children, and Feed 479 Unite to Support 400 Northwest Arkansas Families with Food and Resources
Community Resource Rally Delivers Essential Aid to Local Families Facing Summer Insecurity ROGERS, Ark., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With summer in full swing and school cafeterias closed for the season, many families in Northwest Arkansas are looking for ways to keep meals on the table. Today, StarKist®, Feed the Children, and Feed 479 joined forces at Cross Church in Rogers, AR, to host a Summer Food and Resource Rally, delivering food, essential household items, and a sense of hope to 400 families across the region. They were joined by Walmart associates, as well as Advantage Solutions and Flywheel, whose partnership and participation helped make the event a true community-wide effort. The initiative reflects a powerful collaboration between a national food brand, a global nonprofit, and a dedicated local pantry, all working toward one goal: supporting families experiencing food insecurity during a season of heightened need. "StarKist is a socially responsible company that empowers people to live a healthy lifestyle by providing convenient, nutritious protein products," said Edward Min, President and CEO of StarKist. "We're proud to work with Feed the Children and Feed 479 to offer meaningful support to families in Northwest Arkansas. Events like this rally are a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together for our communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to get our StarKist products into the hands of those who need them most." During the event, volunteers, including StarKist employees, local officials, and community advocates, distributed 400 family kits. Each kit included StarKist protein products, a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food, a 15-pound box of hygiene essentials, and additional resources to help ease the burden for families this summer. "We here at Feed 479 are so excited to partner with Feed the Children and StarKist for this great Summer Family Event. Each year at our Feed 479 'Choice' Pantry, we see an increase in need during the summer months as families have more demand for meals due to their children being home from school," said Dennis Smiley, Director of Feed 479. "Events such as this give a little extra blessing for these families during these summer months. We are grateful to be able to be part of such a wonderful event." For Feed the Children, the Summer Food and Resource Rally provides an opportunity to help meet the community's immediate needs while making a meaningful difference for families. Feed the Children believes it takes everyone – the nonprofit sector, corporations, community organizations, government officials, and food suppliers – to come together to end childhood hunger. "We've seen the significant impact Resource Rallies have in supporting communities experiencing food insecurity, and we're grateful to be working with StarKist and Feed 479 to make a difference in the lives of children and families," said Emily Callahan, President and CEO of Feed the Children. "Working together we're able to provide food and quality of life essentials that children and families need to survive, grow, and thrive. Through the power of partnership, we can make a greater impact as we seek to create a world where no child goes to bed hungry." This Resource Rally follows a similar event held earlier this month in Reston, VA, home to StarKist's corporate headquarters. Looking ahead, StarKist and Feed the Children will continue their collaboration with additional events planned for the upcoming holiday season. For more than 16 years, StarKist has remained deeply committed to the fight against hunger, donating over 1.2 million pounds of nutritious, protein-packed tuna and chicken products to communities in need. These contributions amount to nearly $4.9 million in product donations, along with an additional $985,000 in financial support to help address food insecurity across the United States. Through its enduring partnership with Feed the Children, StarKist has played an instrumental role in more than 20 Resource Rally events nationwide, including vital disaster relief and emergency response initiatives. This ongoing collaboration builds on a legacy that dates back to 1917, when the company first stepped up to help feed the nation during World War I. Today, that same spirit of service continues, fueled by purpose and strengthened through partnership. About StarKist Co. is a socially responsible company that empowers people to live a healthy lifestyle by providing convenient nutritious proteins. An industry innovator, StarKist was the first brand to introduce convenient single-serve pouch products, which include StarKist Tuna Creations®, Salmon Creations®, and Chicken Creations® in over 40 varieties. As America's favorite tuna, StarKist represents a tradition of quality, consumer trust and a commitment to sustainability. StarKist's charismatic brand icon, Charlie The Tuna®, swam into the hearts of tuna fans in 1961 and is still a fan favorite today. StarKist Co. is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd. About Feed the ChildrenFeed the Children is a leading nonprofit committed to ending childhood hunger. The organization believes that no child should go to bed hungry, and so it provides children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive. Through its programs and partnerships, the organization feeds children today while helping families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, Feed the Children distributes household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, it expands access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. As responsible stewards of its resources, Feed the Children is driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, the organization believes that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at About Feed 479Feed 479 is the ministry arm of Compassion Center of NWA, a non-profit that was established in 2016 with the mission of "Extending Help, Love and Dignity to Northwest Arkansas." Feed 479 accomplishes this by offering a choice food pantry to our friends and neighbors, where people can come and receive fresh and healthy food in an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. Every week hundreds of families come through our door to pick out fresh produce, meats, deli items, bakery items and shelf stable items to help meet their needs. To provide this food, Feed 479 trucks pick up retail rescue items daily from local partners which we can distribute to our neighbors in a timely manner. In 2024, through our choice pantry in Springdale and our mobile pantries in Rogers and Fayetteville, Feed 479 has served and extended help, love and dignity to over 250,000 individuals in our community. Media Contacts:StarKist: Michelle Ford Faist / 571-441-8096 / the Children: Kelly Frey / 405-945-4064 / 479: Dennis Smiley/ 479-372-1051 / Denniss@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE StarKist Co.
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
StarKist®, Feed the Children, and Feed 479 Unite to Support 400 Northwest Arkansas Families with Food and Resources
Community Resource Rally Delivers Essential Aid to Local Families Facing Summer Insecurity ROGERS, Ark., June 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With summer in full swing and school cafeterias closed for the season, many families in Northwest Arkansas are looking for ways to keep meals on the table. Today, StarKist®, Feed the Children, and Feed 479 joined forces at Cross Church in Rogers, AR, to host a Summer Food and Resource Rally, delivering food, essential household items, and a sense of hope to 400 families across the region. They were joined by Walmart associates, as well as Advantage Solutions and Flywheel, whose partnership and participation helped make the event a true community-wide effort. The initiative reflects a powerful collaboration between a national food brand, a global nonprofit, and a dedicated local pantry, all working toward one goal: supporting families experiencing food insecurity during a season of heightened need. 'StarKist is a socially responsible company that empowers people to live a healthy lifestyle by providing convenient, nutritious protein products,' said Edward Min, President and CEO of StarKist. 'We're proud to work with Feed the Children and Feed 479 to offer meaningful support to families in Northwest Arkansas. Events like this rally are a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together for our communities. We are grateful for the opportunity to get our StarKist products into the hands of those who need them most.' During the event, volunteers, including StarKist employees, local officials, and community advocates, distributed 400 family kits. Each kit included StarKist protein products, a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food, a 15-pound box of hygiene essentials, and additional resources to help ease the burden for families this summer. 'We here at Feed 479 are so excited to partner with Feed the Children and StarKist for this great Summer Family Event. Each year at our Feed 479 'Choice' Pantry, we see an increase in need during the summer months as families have more demand for meals due to their children being home from school,' said Dennis Smiley, Director of Feed 479. 'Events such as this give a little extra blessing for these families during these summer months. We are grateful to be able to be part of such a wonderful event.' For Feed the Children, the Summer Food and Resource Rally provides an opportunity to help meet the community's immediate needs while making a meaningful difference for families. Feed the Children believes it takes everyone – the nonprofit sector, corporations, community organizations, government officials, and food suppliers – to come together to end childhood hunger. 'We've seen the significant impact Resource Rallies have in supporting communities experiencing food insecurity, and we're grateful to be working with StarKist and Feed 479 to make a difference in the lives of children and families,' said Emily Callahan, President and CEO of Feed the Children. 'Working together we're able to provide food and quality of life essentials that children and families need to survive, grow, and thrive. Through the power of partnership, we can make a greater impact as we seek to create a world where no child goes to bed hungry.' This Resource Rally follows a similar event held earlier this month in Reston, VA, home to StarKist's corporate headquarters. Looking ahead, StarKist and Feed the Children will continue their collaboration with additional events planned for the upcoming holiday season. For more than 16 years, StarKist has remained deeply committed to the fight against hunger, donating over 1.2 million pounds of nutritious, protein-packed tuna and chicken products to communities in need. These contributions amount to nearly $4.9 million in product donations, along with an additional $985,000 in financial support to help address food insecurity across the United States. Through its enduring partnership with Feed the Children, StarKist has played an instrumental role in more than 20 Resource Rally events nationwide, including vital disaster relief and emergency response initiatives. This ongoing collaboration builds on a legacy that dates back to 1917, when the company first stepped up to help feed the nation during World War I. Today, that same spirit of service continues, fueled by purpose and strengthened through partnership. About StarKist Co. StarKist Co. is a socially responsible company that empowers people to live a healthy lifestyle by providing convenient nutritious proteins. An industry innovator, StarKist was the first brand to introduce convenient single-serve pouch products, which include StarKist Tuna Creations®, Salmon Creations®, and Chicken Creations® in over 40 varieties. As America's favorite tuna, StarKist represents a tradition of quality, consumer trust and a commitment to sustainability. StarKist's charismatic brand icon, Charlie The Tuna®, swam into the hearts of tuna fans in 1961 and is still a fan favorite today. StarKist Co. is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd. About Feed the Children Feed the Children is a leading nonprofit committed to ending childhood hunger. The organization believes that no child should go to bed hungry, and so it provides children and families in the U.S. and around the world with the food and essentials kids need to grow and thrive. Through its programs and partnerships, the organization feeds children today while helping families and communities build resilient futures. In addition to food, Feed the Children distributes household and personal care items across the United States to help parents and caregivers maintain stable, food-secure households. Internationally, it expands access to nutritious meals, safe water, improved hygiene, and training in sustainable living. As responsible stewards of its resources, Feed the Children is driven to pursue innovative, holistic, and child-focused solutions to the complex challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and poverty. For children everywhere, the organization believes that having enough to eat is a fundamental right. Learn how you can help create a world without childhood hunger at About Feed 479 Feed 479 is the ministry arm of Compassion Center of NWA, a non-profit that was established in 2016 with the mission of 'Extending Help, Love and Dignity to Northwest Arkansas.' Feed 479 accomplishes this by offering a choice food pantry to our friends and neighbors, where people can come and receive fresh and healthy food in an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. Every week hundreds of families come through our door to pick out fresh produce, meats, deli items, bakery items and shelf stable items to help meet their needs. To provide this food, Feed 479 trucks pick up retail rescue items daily from local partners which we can distribute to our neighbors in a timely manner. In 2024, through our choice pantry in Springdale and our mobile pantries in Rogers and Fayetteville, Feed 479 has served and extended help, love and dignity to over 250,000 individuals in our community. Media Contacts: StarKist: Michelle Ford Faist / 571-441-8096 / [email protected] Feed the Children: Kelly Frey / 405-945-4064 / [email protected] Feed 479: Dennis Smiley/ 479-372-1051 / [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE StarKist Co.
CTV News
8 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Food bank faces record demand and donation decline as summer pressures mount
FILE - In this 2018 photo, kids eat lunch at an elementary school. (Ellen O'Nan/The Paducah Sun via AP) As the summer season begins, the Barrie Food Bank reports record-breaking demand for assistance at a time when donations are typically at their lowest. In May, donations to the food bank were down $13,000 compared to the same time last year, while client visits continue to rise. 'May brought 7,460 visits, a record high for us,' said Karen Shuh, executive director with the Barrie Food Bank. Shuh said the surge in demand includes a growing number of children and seniors. Last month, the food bank served nearly 2,600 children under 18 and more than 330 seniors - both new records. "We're seeing more and more people accessing our services due to job loss, reduced hours, rising rent, mortgage renewals and the general cost of living," the executive director added. Shuh highlighted that food insecurity can happen to anyone. 'Many are first-time visitors who never imagined needing a food bank, which is becoming a growing theme." With school now out, the food bank expects need to continue rising as many families will face additional expenses like daycare and summer camp. Recognizing the growing need to support children during the summer break, Food Banks Canada stepped in with support through its 'After the Bell' program - so for the first time, Shuh said Barrie would receive funding to provide nutritious, child-friendly food packs to local children in need. And Shuh said it couldn't have come at a better time. 'The summer months are historically lean for donations.'
