$250,000 World Food Prize Award to be Presented to Purdue Scientist

CORRECTION 10/17/2007: Walter and Wagner Caldas auditioned and received music scholarships from the School of Music at the University of Northern Iowa. However, these scholarships do not cover the total cost of their tutition, fees, and room and board at UNI. 

DES MOINES, IOWA - The 2007 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony will be held Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Iowa State Capitol.

Dr. Philip Nelson of Purdue University will be presented the $250,000 World Food Prize. Dr. Nelson’s pioneering work in post-harvest technology has revolutionized the food industry, particularly in the area of large-scale storage and transportation of fresh fruit and vegetables using bulk aseptic food processing. The award will be presented by World Food Prize Founder and “Father of the Green Revolution” Dr. Norman E. Borlaug.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver will preside over the ceremony, which is expected to be attended by over 700 participants representing more than 60 countries.

In addition to the presentation of what has been called “The Nobel of Food,” the World Food Prize Foundation will announce two new developments affecting the future of the organization:

•  The selection of the architectural team that will restore and convert the old Des Moines Public Library into the Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates. Architectural renderings of the building will also be revealed.

• The expansion of the Youth Institute into a national program through a major financial commitment.

The evening will also honor Diane Brown of Johnston High School (currently at Iowa State University) and Stephen Lauer of Des Moines Roosevelt High School (currently at Drake University) for their selection as the Ahmanson Intern and Chystal Award winners. The awards go to the Borlaug-Ruan International Interns who are deemed to have performed best in their eight-week internships at research centers around the world.

The event will also feature a performance by twin violinists Walter and Wagner Caldas of Brazil who, thanks to their appearance at last year’s ceremony, have been given scholarships to the University of Northern Iowa. The ceremony will be broadcast live across the state on Iowa Public Television. Visit www.worldfoodprize.org for more information.

• WHAT:            The 2007 World Food Prize Laureate Award Ceremony
  
• WHEN:           Thursday, October 18, 7:00 p.m.
• WHERE:         House Chamber, Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines
• CONTACT:    Justin Cremer, by phone at (515) 245-3794 or email at jcremer@worldfoodprize.org.

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