Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker signed a proclamation Monday declaring Thursday World Food Day in Salt Lake City.

Becker will join with local restaurant owners to promote observance of the day and raise awareness about food security.

Each participating restaurant will offer a special food item that can be ordered at a reduced portion size that patrons may price themselves. A portion of the profits collected from the sale of the item will go to each restaurant's favorite food-related charity.

In Utah, 9.7 percent of the population lives in poverty, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 5.1 percent of residents are dealing with hunger.

Observing World Food Day in Salt Lake City will be an opportunity for local restaurants to give back to community members and raise awareness about hunger and poverty in Utah, according to a press release from Becker's office.

Related events include a public walking tour of various food security providers at noon today, starting at the Crossroads Urban Center, 347 S. 400 East.

For a full schedule of World Food Week events and a list of participating restaurants, visit www.oneworld

everybodyeats.com.