As a new resident of Des Moines, Iowa, I was delighted to discover that the World Food Prize Foundation is among my neighbors. This under-celebrated organization gives laurels (actually, a statue) annually to outstanding men and women who have somehow made food more accessible around the world.
Many of them have worked with crops that are already consumed as a staple in many countries, such as Professor Yuan Longping and Dr. Monty Jones, who shared the 2004 prize for their separate work with rice. Though working independently, both men were working to increase yield of this basic food needed to feed millions in their home countries of China and Sierra Leone, respectively.
Another prize winner is Dr. Modadugu Gupta, who won in 2005 for his work with freshwater aquaculture. The technology and methods developed by Dr. Gupta have increased consumption of this inexpensive protein source, particularly in Dr. Gupta's home country of India.
Since the first laureate in 1987, most World Food Prize winners have been scientists who were honored for their work in agricultural research. An exception to this is Catherine Bertini, recognized in 2003 for her work with the World Food Programme, which expanded greatly under her leadership.
The World Food Prize has been referred to as "the Nobel Prize for food and environmental sciences." Inspiration for the prize included Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, whose work in agriculture won him
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970. The prize is financially backed by the John Ruan foundation and is currently presided over by Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, president of the organization.