AUBURN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - A leading voice on the global debate over hunger and poverty is in Maine this week learning about how the state helps feed its hungry.
Dr. Lindiwe Sibanda works throughout 17 countries in Africa as head of a food and agriculture organization. She’s hoping to take some of the best practices in combating hunger here in this country back to her homeland.
“If we could conserve all the food we are wasting, there would be enough to feed the world”, she said.
One thing she was especially impressed with during her Thursday visit to Good Shepherd in Auburn is the way the food bank is able to preserve produce harvested here in Maine. At the end of last year an addition to the warehouse included large refrigerated storage areas designed specifically to extend the life of vegetables. By keeping that product around longer, the food bank can provide more healthy food to Maine’s needy.
“What I’m taking is the major effort of making sure what is harvested, what is stored, what is given to the challenged households, is nutritious foods and that’s a big lesson for us”, Sibanda said.
Dr. Sibanda was given a warm welcome to Maine earlier this week when she was presented with the key to the City of Portland for her work.