Created in 1986 by Nobel laureate Dr. Norman Borlaug, the World Food Prize honors the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. Each year, the prize recognizes a significant contribution from any field that affects the world's food supply including food and agriculture science and technology, manufacturing, marketing, nutrition, economics, poverty alleviation, political leadership or the social sciences.
But it might have been very different. In 1990, the prize's original sponsor backed out and the Nobel committee turned down Dr. Borlaug's request to fund it. Fortunately, John Ruan heard of his fellow Iowan's dilemma and made the decision to establish a foundation that assumed sponsorship of the World Food Prize.
The prize became one of his passions, and Ruan worked to raise its profile both in Des Moines and across the nation. In 1994, Ruan and Borlaug added the World Food Prize Youth Institute, and in 1997, Ruan contributed another $10 million to permanently endow the prize and ensure its tenure in Des Moines. The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates—spearheaded by John Ruan III and the City of Des Moines—began construction in 2006.
Today, with its $250,000 award, the World Food Prize is the foremost international award recognizing excellence and progress in overcoming global food production and distribution challenges while inspiring new generations to embrace the cause.
For more information on the World Food Prize, please visit worldfoodprize.org.
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