The year 2022 finds us all dealing with an ongoing pandemic, various conflicts, and a climate that refuses to stop warming and increasing international tension. It also affects global food security. In this article, we’ll talk about World Food Day and what type of teaching this day gives us. We’ll also talk about every year’s themes, some innovative ways to celebrate this day, and how we can all work to make the world a better place to live in. How can we build a sustainable world where everyone has regular access to healthy food?
World Food Day
It’s World Food Day, a worldwide event to recognize the need to help those people who are hungry and provide healthy and secure food for everyone. Every year on October 16, World Food Day is celebrated. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) designated October 16, 1979, as Food Day. On this day, many people spread awareness and draw attention to the plight of the hungry.
According to the FAO report, in 2021, some 193 million people experienced acute food insecurity, requiring humanitarian assistance for survival. In contrast, over 500,000 people faced disaster conditions, which meant starvation and death. More than 3 million people cannot afford a healthy diet.
Around the world, the food system emits up to one-third of global greenhouse gases, contributing to 80% of tropical deforestation, water scarcity, and biodiversity decline. One hundred fifty million children are forced into labor due to poverty and hunger. Women are 10% more likely than men to be moderately or severely food insecure globally this year. A dramatic increase in food prices, including wheat, oil, and fertilizers, is moving countries already vulnerable to the crisis.
More than 30,000 people are forced daily to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. Two-thirds of those experiencing highly acute food insecurity are rural food producers.
World Food Day (2022) Theme
Every year, different organizations adopt a new theme to celebrate it uniquely.
This year continued an established theme of recent years, and this year’s theme is “World Food Day 2022,” which observes that the production and consumption of safe food have immediate and long-term benefits for the planet and living beings.
World Food Day Past Years’ Themes
- 2021: “Safe Food Now, for a Healthy Tomorrow.”
- 2020: “Grow, Nourish, sustain, together.”
- 2019: “Our Actions are our future, Healthy Diets for ZERO Hunger People.”
- 2018: “Our Actions are Our Future, Ending World Hunger by 2030 is Possible.”
- 2017: “Change the Future of Migration, Invest in Food Security and Rural Development.”
- 2016: “Climate change, the climate is changing food and agriculture must too.“
- 2015: “Social Protection and Agriculture, Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty.”
The Top Ten World Food Day Activities
We have compiled a list of ways to help you promote, raise awareness, and support the fight to end global hunger on World Food Day.
1. Support small-scale farms
Globally, 98% of all farms are family farms. They usually use sustainable agriculture with healthy plants, rotate crops, and use fewer pesticides. But sadly, these family farmers cannot produce various crops needed for their survival. Shop local and help those family farms on World Food Day. In 2014, the World Food Day theme was “Family Farming: feeding the World, caring for the Earth.” That represents family farms and raises awareness about family farming and how they care for people.
2. Grow your own produce
Another activity to do on this day is to reduce the trips to grocery stores and other farms. Try to grow vegetables and fruits at home and increase food security under your supervision. If you don’t have a yard or a specific place to grow, you can use old buckets, plastic bottles, and food containers to grow small plants or a small piece of land around the house. It’s best practice. Get it started by planting the ends of onions, pineapples, and some other plants you’ve already consumed.
3. Raise Money to End Hunger
Several campaigns and food drives are held on World Food Day. If you don’t know about any organization that’s arranging the drive or don’t have any information about local food drives, you can organize one by yourself with the help of your friends and family. And donate food to the people you know who are in need. Get involved in hunger walks and food packing rallies, and get your hands together to end world hunger.
4. Give Some Food to the Local Food Bank
In an estimated overview, 1 in 7 people in the US rely on food banks as their primary or supplement food source. Many of these families suffer from underemployment and cannot afford the main groceries needed to help their families survive. You can donate some healthy food, peanut butter, canned beans, or vegetables to these banks and help those families who are in need.
5. Join the # WorldFoodDay online conversation
You can participate in the # WorldFoodDay conversation on social media by posting various actions and expressing your gratitude to food heroes. Contribute to this conversation on World Food Day and support the campaigns to end the food crisis.
6. 2022 World Food Day Poster Contest
On October 16, FAO will conduct a World Food Day Poster Contest. So, if you’re between 5 and 19, you should participate in this contest. Use your imagination and create a poster showing the world that there’s “no one left behind” and everyone has access to healthy food.
Submit your entry before November 4, 2022. To participate in this contest, your age must be between 5 and 19. Begin participating in the Poster Contest 2022.
7. Cut down on food waste
Food wastage can occur anywhere in the food system. Although it occurs in most countries and no one takes it seriously. On this day, we should all ensure that our food does not go to waste. We can do this by planning meals ahead of time and learning how to store the food we have not eaten so we can eat it another day. Next time you go grocery shopping, make sure and be honest that you eat all these mushrooms and other things before they go bad. Or you should buy fewer items and go for other ones when they expire.
8. Choose health and diversity
Adding a variety of different foods and produce to your diet is not only healthy for you, but it’s also healthy for the planet. A diverse diet supports plant biodiversity, which is very important for healthy soil, its environment, and the whole ecosystem of the earth.
9. Start a Seed Preservation Project
The Seed Preservation Project is the best way for students to volunteer on various farms and gardens. The foundation of success for a project that seeks to battle food insecurity is rooted in seeds. Seed preservation is an entertaining activity done by volunteer students in different communities’ gardens and urban farms. Through this, they educate them about the importance of seed preservation and how it is connected to the sustainability concept.
10. Help improves conditions for migrating households and host communities
From the entire reading, we conclude that the food crisis is a whole world issue. It affects not only one country but the whole economic world. To solve it, we need to build a sustainable world where everyone can access healthy food and affordable food prices. Join your hands and help others in your surroundings, so “No one should be left behind.”
Conclusion
World Food Day 2017 theme is “Change the Future of Migration, Invest in Food Security and Rural Development,” it calls on the whole world to come together and change the future of migration and invest in food security and rural development. It would be a good step to teach your children about migration and immerse them in an activity where you can improve the condition of your near host community. I am also involved in local community garden projects.
