AMNH Opens OUR GLOBAL KITCHEN Exhibition, 11/17

"My experience in developing this exhibition has given me a renewed appreciation for how lessons that we have learned from ecological systems can help us as we grow and gather our food," said Eleanor Sterling, Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the Museum and Co-Curator of Our Global Kitchen.  "We hope visitors will look at something they all do every day-eat-and think about the legacy of centuries of farmers that have shaped our foods, the wisdom of cooks to create cuisines, the celebrations and traditions woven across generations and geographies, and how the natural environment supports the foods that we rely on now and in the future."

"Food both sustains our bodies and perpetuates our culture.  Eating and meals is the place where families meet, business is conducted, and our senses are stimulated," said Mark Norell, Chair of the Division of Paleontology at the Museum and Co-Curator of Our Global Kitchen. "Anyone who appreciates food knows that cooking is an art form.  The challenge today is to make this art form both healthy and sustainable, as well as delicious and beautiful."

"At JPMorgan Chase, we are committed to doing our part to help our communities in the U.S. and around the world.  We strengthen food security by donating to food banks, financing grocery stores in food deserts, and protecting against the volatility of food prices," said Peter L. Scher, head of Corporate Responsibility and Executive Vice President, JPMorgan Chase.  "Access to food is not only essential to combating poverty, it is also an integral part of every culture. It brings people together and helps build communities. We are proud to be the corporate sponsor for Our Global Kitchen at the American Museum of Natural History."

"Our food system is moving towards a crisis. We supported the exhibit and educational materials in order to shine a light on the social and environmental costs of the industrialization and concentration of our current production model," stated Helaine Lerner, Chair of The GRACE Communications Foundation Board.