2012 Winner

MEDA video contest winner connects the dots in global food system

Waterloo, ON– May 3, 2012 – North Americans are getting a better understanding of what food security means on the other side of the globe from a new video shot primarily in and around Harper, KS.

Harper native and Goshen College student Daniel Penner (photo attached) created the video to enter into a contest sponsored by MEDA – Mennonite Economic Development Associates. The challenge was to produce a video to help bring awareness to the issue of food security, a problem that MEDA is tackling as part of its work to bring business solutions to poverty in developing countries around the world.

"The idea," says Penner, "was to describe the food system that we are all familiar with – milk – and then relate it to how MEDA works to right food systems/security in other countries.

"I think there is often a disconnect in how we view food in the 'western world' and how it is viewed globally. I wanted to emphasize that there are a lot of pieces in a larger machine that we as North Americans take for granted – pieces that might not be there in other countries. Also, I'm continually surprised about the lack of knowledge of where our food comes from.

"I chose milk, because, well, it just made sense. Joe (in the video) lives about two miles west of my house and the owner of the grocery store is my neighbor. Cows abound around my house, and milk is something that I've always enjoyed – usually with cookies, always with cereal, and every now and then with coffee."

While Penner is a history major, he says he's been "masquerading as a communications major for the past couple of years – mostly because of my love of video."

He also has a strong interest in both business and economic development, whether it was creating his panini business or spending a couple of months working with MEDA Paraguay in 2010. "I especially appreciated working on the MEDA video because it allowed me the opportunity to align multiple interests."

For his efforts, Penner won a MacBook Air, which will be helpful in his studies and in future video projects. MEDA is planning to hold a second video contest. For details, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To watch Penner's winning video, Milk From Cow to Consumer, go to meda.tv or view below:

-30-

For more information, contact Linda Whitmore – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Founded in 1953, MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) is headquartered in Waterloo, Canada and has pioneered business solutions for the eradication of poverty in more than 60 developing countries. MEDA's innovative programs provide access to financial services for the poor, access to markets for small producers and for products that improve quality of life for the poor, and technical services to promote investment in businesses and institutions that serve the poor. In 2011, MEDA served more than 20 million clients in collaboration with 150 organizations worldwide.