In collaboration with PLAAS at UWC, the CoE in Food Security hosted its first World Food Day event on 16 October 2015 at the UWC Library Auditorium. Proceedings of the event titled: "Whose Food System is it Anyway? World Food Day Dialogue" were opened by Professor Andries du Toit, director of PLAAS and an affiliate of the CoE

The audience was treated to presentations by experts, researchers, scholars and community health workers on food and nutrition security challenges facing the country

Talking about feminist interventions on food related topics was Professor Desiree Lewis from the Department of Women and Gender Studies, UWC. Professor Lewis also heads the Mellon Foundation funded CoE programme on Food Politics and Cultures.

Tackling "Big Food’ and Consumer food environments" was Emeritus Professor David Sanders (M), the topic on "Urban food insecurity in a rapidly changing food system" was presented by UCT's Dr Jane Battersby-Lennard (L) and Community health activist Ms Matisetso Tladi gave the audience a glimpse into the "Realities of choice in an unhealthy food environment"

The interactive dialogue was aimed at engaging with diverse stakeholders to consider what food system changes are needed to ensure food security for all, and how these can be brought about.

University of Fort Hare's Professor Voster Muchenje delivered a presentation on "The role of meat in food security"

The MRC's Dr Wanga Zembe delivered a presentation on "Child Support Grants: Mothers' experiences of accessing food for their children in Langa, Cape Town"

Speaking on "Land reform, small farmers, and agricultural innovation" was Professor Ben Cousins of PLAAS

UWC based Postgraduate students Thembi Bongwana (L), Rudo Chikara (R) presented an overview of the Food Politics and Cultures Project led by Professor Desiree Lewis