In a discussion session on environmentalism and development Thursday night, former presidential candidate and senator George McGovern argued for developed countries to fulfill a moral obligation to feed the chronically hungry around the world.
McGovern particularly advocated the Food for Peace program he directed, which is designed to combat world hunger and malnutrition by sending American food surpluses to developing countries.
According to McGovern, he has made the Food for Peace program his first priority due to the urgent need to feed the chronically hungry around the world — a number which he cited past the one billion mark.
“The U.S. should be working for peace in the world and to treat people like human beings,” McGovern said. “That’s what Food for Peace is all about; using our surplus to defeat hunger.”
McGovern added the expanse of agricultural production and agriculture in the United States should not leave our food surplus when it could be helping millions of people.
“I think hunger is the biggest problem in the world today,” McGovern said. “And I think I’m responsible for feeding more people around the world than any other person alive.”
University of Wisconsin professor Jed Colquhoun, who spoke alongside McGovern, added sustainability is needed locally to make agricultural development more efficient.
“One of the biggest parts of our food system that really irks me is that, agriculturally, we have areas of great strength, but we still buy from other regions,” Colquhoun said.
Although the Food for Peace program faced criticisms that it would decrease the value of locally grown food, McGovern said the U.S. could send food to countries selectively without weakening domestic food production.
He added the U.S. cannot wait on political reform to try to reduce world hunger.
McGovern also disagreed with many of the arguments made in author Michael Pollan’s book “In Defense of Food,” including Pollan’s argument to practice common sense rather than science.
“I disagree with that. I think science has played a big part in development in almost every part we’ve tried to improve,” McGovern said. “There are a lot of things we are indebted to science for.”
According to McGovern, Pollan also said the best way to stay healthy is by eating naturally produced food, rather than seeking out a nutritionist.
“I don’t agree with that,” McGovern said. “The number one health problem in this country is obesity, and some of that comes from not listening to a nutritionist and eating everything your grandma puts on the table.”
UW sophomore Sean Becker added though the discussion was interesting, McGovern’s statement that he has been the most significant in feeding the chronically hungry was bold.
McGovern also said supporting programs such as Food for Peace, school lunches and education would cost less than wars and support national security.
“I liked he’s able to make connections on a lot of different issues,” UW senior Jeff Butters said. “I don’t think a lot of politicians address these issues.”
