Have you ever heard about World Food Day? Do you know why we celebrate it? Better yet, have you ever celebrated it? We’d love to know about your experience in the comments if you have any. World Food Day is celebrated internationally on October 16 every year. This day celebrates the anniversary of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s founding in 1945.
The World Food Program, the World Health Organization, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development are just a few of the organizations that participate in widespread celebrations on the day. The WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for recognition of their work to end hunger, promote peace in conflict zones, and take the lead in preventing the use of hunger as a tool of war and conflict.
Interesting Facts About World Food Day
Here are some essential details you should know that will help raise food awareness:
- Despite the fact that there is enough food produced worldwide to nourish everyone, 800 million people go hungry every day. One in nine people, to be exact. Of them, 60% are female.
- Malnutrition is a factor in about 45% of neonatal fatalities.
- An annual cost of 3.5 trillion US dollars is incurred by the world economy as a result of malnutrition.
- Around the world, one-third of the food produced is lost or squandered.
- To feed a burgeoning population, the globe will need to produce 60 percent more food by 2050.
- Agriculture is the industry most affected by climate change.
How To Celebrate World Food Day
Around 150 countries organize several events to commemorate World Food Day each year, including marathons, hunger marches, exhibitions, cultural performances, competitions, and concerts.
Activities for Food Day educate people on how they may alter basic everyday routines and decisions to make a difference. But what other activities can you do to celebrate World Food Day? Let’s look at a few
- Donate money or food to food banks.
- Support local farmer’s markets
- Host a dinner party with friends or family
- Support local restaurants
- Educate yourself on World Food Day so you can educate others
History of World Food Day
At the 20th General Conference of the FAO, held in November 1979, the Organization’s Member Countries established World Food Day (WFD). The previous Hungarian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Pál Romány, served as the head of the Hungarian delegation, which actively participated in the 20th FAO Conference and proposed the notion of observing WFD globally.
In the last four years, World Food Day themes have been as follows:
2018: “Our Actions Are Our Future, Ending World Hunger by 2030 is Possible.”
2019: “Our Actions Are Our Future, Healthy Diets for A # ZeroHunger World.”
2020: “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together”
2021: “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow.”
And this year, the theme was “Leave NO ONE behind”.
How Different Countries Celebrate the Day
USA
In The United States, The World Food Day Sunday Dinners, which Oxfam America supports along with a number of other non-profits, are one example of World Food Day events.
Italy
In Italy, ministries, universities, research agencies, international agencies, and NGOs have organized many conferences, exhibitions, and symposia. The Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Policies organized a meeting that focused on women’s rights in rural areas in 2005.
Africa
Ghana- A symposium on food security was held in Ghana by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Namibia ran a media-supported awareness campaign.
Central African Republic- In honor of World Food Day, the president of the Central African Republic officially opened a bridge at Boda that would improve access to the region’s agricultural products.
Mongolia
The research conference “Food security” is organized yearly by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry and the UN FAO representative office in Mongolia in collaboration with the Mongolian Food Industry Association as part of the nation’s celebration of World Food Day.
This event offers a chance to advertise research projects, highlight the contributions of academics and researchers to the nation’s food security, improve cooperation and collaboration between research institutions, NGOs, and public organizations involved in the food industry, to transfer technological research into the industry, and to develop policy and regulations based on research.
Celebrating Culturally Diverse Global Events
Raising awareness by celebrating World Food Day is imperative to our fight against world hunger. Though the celebrations are festive, we must remember the reason for these festivities and make it our mission to help in any way we can, no matter how small it may seem.
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