The 2017 Iowa Hunger Summit will feature a panel discussion with the five most recent U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture.

This bipartisan conversation will be hosted by Secretary Tom Vilsack, with Secretaries Dan Glickman, Ann Veneman, Mike Johanns and Ed Schafer participating in the session which will focus on food insecurity in our country. It will take place from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott as part of the day long Hunger Summit.

“I am absolutely delighted that my colleagues, the four former secretaries of agriculture, have agreed to join me in Des Moines for what I believe will be an insightful conversation on the food insecurity issues facing our country. Among those are: access to nutritious and safe food, the future of SNAP and the lack of full scale grocery stores throughout our nation’s food deserts,” said Vilsack, adding "It is not often that you have so much experience in leading American agriculture in one place and at one time."

The event is unique is bringing together leaders from across many administrations and political parties. 

“We are so very pleased to have Secretary Tom Vilsack as a new member of the World Food Prize Council of Advisors,” said Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President of the World Food Prize. “We are most grateful for his role in that capacity in facilitating this panel of former Secretaries of Agriculture, which will be one of the more memorable events we have ever had at the World Food Prize.”​

“I urge Iowans to register for this unique one day event,” said Crystal Harris, Director of the Iowa Hunger Summit. “Space is filling up fast and we are on pace for a record turnout! You can register at www.iowahungersummit.org/hsregister. ”

The Iowa Hunger Summit is a one day, free event established in 2006 with former Iowa governors Robert D. Ray, Terry E. Branstad, Chet Culver and Tom Vilsack serving as honorary co-chairs. This annual event is attended by 500-700 hunger fighters from across the state as well as leaders representing community organizations, business and industry, state and local government, religious communities, educational experts, and others who lead or participate in projects that confront hunger.

Source: The World Food Prize