FOOD: Our Global Kitchen Exhibition to Open at National Geographic Museum Oct. 6

WASHINGTON (Oct. 2, 2014)-The National Geographic Museum is excited to welcome to Washington FOOD: Our Global Kitchen, a traveling exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History, New York. Opening on Thursday, Oct. 16, to coincide with World Food Day, the exhibition explores the complex and intricate food system that brings what we eat from farm to fork. FOOD complements National Geographic's ongoing exploration of food issues, including an eight-month series in National Geographic magazine that will be released as a free iPad app in honor of World Food Day. More coverage of food issues can be found at natgeofood.com.

In sections devoted to growing, transporting, cooking, eating, tasting and celebrating, the exhibition illuminates the many ways our world eats as well as the future of food. With opportunities to taste seasonal treats in the working kitchen, cook a virtual meal, view rare cooking artifacts and peek into the dining rooms of famous figures throughout history, visitors will experience the intersection of food, nature, culture, health and history - and consider some of the most challenging and fascinating issues of our time.

Anyone who loves food will enjoy this exhibition, said Kathryn Keane, vice president of National Geographic Exhibitions. It is a fascinating experience for the entire family and will teach you almost everything you ever wanted to know about the history and future of food.

The National Geographic Museum will join the farm-to-fork process through an 18-foot-tall, hydroponic vertical growing system in the exhibition that will grow a variety of herbs to showcase sustainable food-growing techniques and agricultural biodiversity in increasingly urban habitats. Other highlights of FOOD include a life-size re-creation of a 16th-century Aztec marketplace, ingredient smelling stations, an interactive cooking table and a look at plates of food enjoyed by famous historical figures including Mahatma Gandhi, Jane Austen and Kublai Khan.

All of this food content is bound to make visitors hungry, and the exhibit's test kitchen will satisfy both appetites and inquiring minds. Live programming in the kitchen will animate the experience of food and flavor through activities ranging from daily samplings and taste tests to demonstrations of dynamic cooking methods to visits from local farmers, chefs and nutrition experts. The test kitchen is presented with Whole Foods Market. The themes of the kitchen will change every two weeks, starting with harvest apples and including Thanksgiving sides, chocolate and green smoothies. The museum will use the services of the Food Recovery Network and Compost Cab to collect leftover food from the test kitchen and ensure that it is either donated or composted.

Beyond the kitchen, the National Geographic Museum will be offering a number of public programs tied to the FOOD exhibition. The Food for Thought event series includes three food-themed National Geographic Live events featuring such culinary stars as National Geographic Fellow Barton Seaver, James Beard Award winner Ann Cashion, Hell's Kitchen winner Rock Harper and chef Jos Andr s. The Museum will also host a free Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. As D.C.'s official Food Day celebration, the Harvest Festival will feature demonstrations, activities and samples from local chefs and food-related organizations. Food Day is a nationwide event to bring people together to celebrate and enjoy real food and to push for improved food policies.

FOOD: Our Global Kitchen will be on display at the National Geographic Museum until Feb. 22, 2015. Also open at the museum is Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous in the 17th Street gallery and Mars Up Close in the M Street gallery.

WAMU 88.5, American University Radio, is the official Media Partner for FOOD: Our Global Kitchen. FOOD is designed and produced by the award-winning Exhibition Department of the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), under the direction of Senior Vice President for Exhibitions David Harvey.

The National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., is open every day (except Dec. 25) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Though the photography exhibitions in the museum's M Street gallery and outdoors are free, the exhibitions in the 17th Street galleries are ticketed. Admission is $11 for adults; $9 for National Geographic members, military, students, seniors and groups of 25 or more; $7 for children 5-12; and free for local school, student and youth groups (18 and under; advance reservation required). Tickets may be purchased online at www.ngmuseum.org; via telephone at (202) 857-7700; or in person at the National Geographic ticket booth, 1145 17th Street M Street, N.W., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281 or email groupsales@ngs.org.

About National Geographic

With a mission to inspire people to care about the planet, the 126-year-old National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Working to inspire, illuminate and teach, the member-supported Society reaches over 600 million people worldwide each month through its media platforms, products and events. National Geographic has funded more than 11,000 research, conservation and exploration projects, and its education programs promote geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

About Whole Foods Market

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM) is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named America's Healthiest Grocery Store by Health magazine. The company's motto, Whole F

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