The Bishops of Hereford and Derby today challenge governments, companies and citizens to take the necessary steps to reduce the millions currently going hungry, as a coalition 100 organisations come together to make 2013 the year in which we make dramatic progress towards ending global hunger - IF.

Speaking as the Lead Bishop on rural issues, the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Revd Anthony Priddis, said: "Today, the world produces enough food to feed all seven billion of its inhabitants, but nearly one billion still go without. The growing levels of food insecurity in an age of plenty challenge the Gospel message of abundant life."

Bishop Anthony continues: "As a Church we are called upon both to feed the hungry and to expose and eradicate the causes of debilitating hunger. This year's IF campaign provides us all with an opportunity to cast a spotlight on our broken food system and to press governments, companies and citizens to take the necessary steps to reduce the millions currently going hungry."

In a podcast released to mark the launch of the IF campaign, the Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Alastair Redfern, who will be speaking at the campaign launch, said: "IF is a very small word but it can have enormous consequences and this campaign asks all of us to use the word 'IF' for ourselves - our spending, our resources, our praying, our hopes for a better world in 2013."

Bishop Alastair continues: "It's a national campaign, an international campaign, drawing people together - IF. IF we can join together then many more people can be lifted out of hunger. Let all of us hear that word: "If you wanted to, you could help me more." And let each of our hearts reflect on that word: "If we tried harder we could make a huge difference." And that's what this year of 2013 is all about and what our endeavours are about as we join with others for this campaign."

Notes

1. The Church of England is a member of ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE IF. This is a national campaign involving 100 organisations that have come together to make 2013 the year in which we make dramatic progress towards ending global hunger. For more about the campaign and its launch please visit the campaign website at www.enoughfoodif.org
2. The Church of England will be using the UK Presidency of the G8 to focus on two key concerns: hunger and sexual violence in conflict. To learn more about the Church's work in both these areas please visit the following website: http://www.churchofengland.org/our-views/international-affairs/the-uk-g8.aspx
3. The Bishop of Derby's podcast can be found at the following link: http://audio.cofemedia.org.uk/synod/bishopofderbyifcampaign.mp3