World Food Day
A global day highlighting food security and hunger, calling for collective action toward a world free of hunger.
Date16 October
TopicHealth
Established1979
Ways to observe this day
- Reduce food waste at home and plan meals thoughtfully
- Donate to a food bank or local anti-hunger initiative
- Support local farmers by buying their produce
- Share information about global food security issues
In 1979, member states of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designated, at the organization's General Conference, October 16 as World Food Day, marking the anniversary of the FAO's founding on that date in 1945. It was first observed in 1981 in more than 150 countries.
The day highlights the ongoing issues of hunger and malnutrition that affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide despite globally sufficient food supplies, and calls for progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. It also underscores the importance of resilient, sustainable agricultural and food systems capable of withstanding climate change, conflict, and economic crises.
The FAO, the World Food Programme, and their partners hold annual events around a different theme each year, including awareness campaigns, initiatives to combat food waste, and community activities honoring farmers and workers across the global food supply chain.
