Today is World Food Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's call to action to rally together to help the world achieve food security. That sounds like a big ask, but if we all do our part and look within our own community, it's a goal that’s achievable.

Believe it or not, sometimes the daunting challenges can provide incredible joy, as proven last weekend at the Harlem Children's Zone, where Former President Bill Clinton, Dr. Oz, Alan Houston and Rachael Ray all gathered just a few floors below our Good Food Garden on the rooftop to talk to parents about the importance of feeding kids foods that help them grow and thrive.  Kendra and I gathered on the rooftop in the garden with a team from Share Our Strength, Whole Foods, and Culinary Corps to teach kids about composting, root vegetables, and healthful eating habits. By the time the kids got to us, they were amped up on worm knowledge and the healthful harvest soup of Chef Ann Cooper, the Renegade Lunch Lady and happy, mostly, to taste carrots, beets, snap peas and snow peas. For those that weren’t, we had another trick up our sleeve. We let reluctant veggie eaters pull their own carrots fresh from the ground, which delivered an audible gasp from a crowd of 6-year-olds, who were more than happy to try our treats after that.

It’s one simple step, exposing kids to the kinds of foods that will support good health, in hopes to develop the taste and habit for making go-foods (fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) their go-to foods. But since it really starts with parents, I was honored to be asked to take the stage not long before Mr. Clinton, and speak to the them.

“We just pulled a carrot out of the ground on the rooftop in the middle of Harlem,” I said into the mic, which raised loud cheers and claps. I shared our message and mission about the good food gardens and I asked for the parents’ help. When I finished, and asked for questions, it seemed like half the hands in the room went up with questions about how they could start a garden on their rooftop, windowsill, or fire escape, and where to find more resources and support to feed their families better. It was chilling. There in just one room in one corner of the world were 400 dedicated, passionate parents, each eager and willing to do their part. Are you?

-Sarah Copeland, Good Food Ambassador