WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) announced today that it is a sponsor of World Food Program USA's George McGovern Leadership Award. WCF is pleased to support this event and the great work of Howard G. Buffet and Bill Gates.

Mr. Gates and Mr. Buffet will be recognized on October 24 at the U.S. State Department for their leadership in Purchase for Progress, a global initiative promoting agricultural development and improving market access for small-scale farmers. A select group of Congressional and administration officials, and business and advocacy leaders will come together to highlight hunger – one of the most pressing global issues of our time.

WCF has worked closely with the U.S. State Department on humanitarian relief efforts in Cote d'Ivoire during political unrest earlier this year. An estimated one million Ivorian citizens were displaced or impacted; WCF provided emergency relief to citizens in Abidjan and throughout Cote d'Ivoire, as well as to refugees in neighboring West African countries.

The World Cocoa Foundation has also appreciated a long-standing relationship with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and their support of the WCF Cocoa Livelihoods Program (CLP) in West and Central Africa which is co-funded by 16 chocolate company members and the German Government. The aim of the program is to increase farm families' incomes by training farmers on production technologies, encouraging farmers to diversify crop production, and strengthening farmer organizations. By 2013, WCF CLP will benefit 200,000 farmers in West and Central Africa.

"WCF is honored to support this World Food Program hunger relief event and continue to work closely with the World Food Program in improving livelihoods for farmers," said WCF President Bill Guyton.

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is an international membership foundation that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully, and make greater profits. These efforts help increase the supply of cocoa and help guarantee chocolate lovers access to their favorite products. WCF's membership includes cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide, representing more than 80% of the global cocoa market. For more information, visit www.worldcocoa.org.

SOURCE World Cocoa Foundation

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