UN Officials Turn to Quinoa for Food Security

Quinoa, a longtime dietary staple among vegans due to its high protein content and nutritional value, may present a solution to the global food crisis, according to one global leader. During a recent visit to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization office in Rome, Bolivian President Evo Morales touted the virtues of the wonder grain, which is primarily produced in his home country. Bolstered by Morales’ support, the FAO has named 2013 the International Year of Quinoa, in an effort to publicize the nutrient-rich food’s potential to revive the agricultural industries of struggling countries. “As we face the challenge of feeding the world population in a context of climate change, quinoa offers an alternative for those countries suffering from food insecurity,” says FAO Director General José Graziano da Silva.