Celebrating World Food Day
15 Oct 2024
Food Is More Than Just Our Favorite Meal
What does “food” mean to you?
Food is more than just your favorite meal; it represents cultural diversity, adequate nutrition, affordability, and safety. After air and water, food is the third most basic human need. In international law, the right to food dictates that food must be “adequate, available, and accessible to all,” as noted in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. To increase awareness of hunger and poverty around the world and to inspire solutions that bring about positive change, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has deemed October 16th “World Food Day.” World Food Day has been observed annually since 1981, commemorating the FAO’s date of establishment of October 16, 1945.
So, why do we observe World Food Day?
More than 2.8 billion people globally are unable to afford a healthy diet, leading to undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity. Malnutrition is now prevalent in many countries, in both developed and developing nations, and is prevalent across socio-economic classes. Individuals who cannot afford healthy diets often rely on inexpensive staple foods or unhealthy, low-cost, convenient options, both of which can lead to weight gain. The unavailability of fresh, nutritious products and foods is a contributing factor to an unhealthy diet. In 2022 alone, 2.5 billion adults and 37 million children under the age of five were overweight. Roughly 23% of children under five are currently too short for their age, and 6.8% are too thin for their height. Therefore, both ends of the spectrum are at play and must be addressed; starvation has long been an issue and chronic diseases from obesity have risen in prominence.
This crisis of hunger and malnutrition is exacerbated by conflict, inequality, extreme weather incidents, and severe economic downturns. Nearly 733 million people are affected by hunger and malnutrition worldwide. Widespread conflicts are the most prevalent cause of hunger, with nearly 135 million people in over 20 countries suffering from acute hunger related to pervasive violence. Climate change is another factor, disproportionately affecting poorer rural communities by minimizing crop yields and overall productivity. Adverse climate events also contribute to a greater incidence of crop disease and pests and can alter the nutrient composition of major staple crops. Pollution and severe weather events can also destroy aquatic food systems and wetlands, which are relied upon by more than 600 million people for food and income. Over 85% of wetlands have disappeared in the past 300 years at triple the rate of forests and other ecosystems.
What’s the solution?
World Food Day emphasizes the need for all members of the global community (i.e., governments, private sector, farmers, academia, and civil society, down to the individual level) to get involved and take action to tackle food inequality and poverty by embracing and practicing sustainability. Sustainability is based on three dimensions of environmental, social, and economic responsibilities. A combined effort is required to ensure that there are enough diverse, nutritious, and safe foods available worldwide. Reducing food waste and protecting the environment are key to ensuring that healthy foods are abundant and available to help more people make healthy choices.
It is essential that governments uphold the right to food access and strengthen national capacity to minimize or prevent plant pests and diseases from decimating crops all while providing additional support for small-scale producers and farmers who are responsible for producing nearly one-third of the global food supply. In academia, research and data collection can support innovation and serve as powerful tools that enhance food safety. Moreover, data and analysis should be shared with governments and policymakers to formulate novel strategies that minimize crisis impact on vulnerable populations. Farmers can be supported by increasing access to training, finance, and innovation, all while ensuring that their knowledge, culture, and traditions are preserved to continue nurturing their land and to farm sustainably.
At the individual level, try to choose local food products and in-season fruits and vegetables. Consuming locally grown foods helps to support biodiversity and incentivizes local producers. Planning meals carefully and using a variety of recipes will help minimize food waste, and any extra organic matter should always be composted instead of going to the landfill.
Overall, environmental, social, and economic responsibilities are the three core pillars of sustainability. These behaviors must be shared between socio-economic groups and nations across the globe for positive change to occur. Join us in celebrating World Food Day and think about how your shopping, eating, and waste management habits affect the environment, the food and water we consume, and others who rely on these essential resources.
Sources:
https://www.worldfooddaycanada.ca/about/
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/en
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/take-action/what-can-farmers-do/en
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/take-action/what-can-academia-do/en
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/take-action/what-can-governments-do/en
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/take-action/what-can-you-do/en
https://www.mcgill.ca/sustainability/files/sustainability/what-is-sustainability.pdf
