By Stephen DeAngelis
During his audition performance on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi commented about the abundance of food in America. He joked, “America is new to me, man, even the food in America. The food! There’s so much food in America. … Big everything. Portions are big. The other day an American friend of mine [said,] ‘Man I am starving.’ I was like, ‘No! You are hungry. Trust me, there’s a difference.’ Now when I go back to my village after experiencing this much food in America, and someone says, ‘Man, I am hungry,’ I’ll be like, ‘No! You are starving.'” Starving, however, is no joke.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), “The world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet, hunger persists. Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world due to repeated weather shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and the pandemic. This impacts the poor and vulnerable most severely, many of whom are agricultural households, reflecting widening inequalities across and within countries.”[1] Since 1980, to bring attention to the strengths and challenges of the global food value chain, countries around the globe have annually celebrated World Food Day on 16 October to commemorate the 1945 founding date of the FAO.
This year’s theme is: Right to foods for a better life and a better future. The FAO staff explains, “‘Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, in our markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all.” The FAO staff adds, “Food is the third most basic human need after air and water — everyone should have the right to adequate food. Human rights — such as the right to food, life and liberty, work and education — are recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two legally binding international covenants.”
Although the FAO notes that 733 million people face hunger every day, they also report that other food-related challenges are faced by four times that many people. They explain:
“Over 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet. Unhealthy diets are the leading cause of all forms of malnutrition — undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity, which now exist in most countries, cutting across socio-economic classes. Yet today, too many people suffer from hunger and are unable to afford healthy diets. More vulnerable people are often forced to rely on staple foods or less expensive foods that can be unhealthy, while others suffer from the unavailability of fresh or varied foods, lack the information they need to choose a healthy diet, or simply opt for convenience. Hunger and malnutrition are further exacerbated by protracted or prolonged crises that are driven by a combination of conflict, extreme weather events and economic shocks. Agrifood systems, as a whole, are vulnerable to disasters and crises, particularly the impacts of climate change but at the same time, they are generating pollution, degrading soil, water and air, and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. By transforming agrifood systems, there is great potential to mitigate climate change and support peaceful, resilient and inclusive livelihoods for all.”
Chevy Claire Guantero, a content writer for Tiger Menu, suggests a few ways that businesses in the food industry can help celebrate World Food Day.[2] They include:
• Feature a safe and sustainable menu. “A safe and sustainable menu is not just about offering customers appetizing dishes. It also ensures that every ingredient you use reflects your business’s commitment to providing healthier and cleaner meals. To achieve this, prioritize sourcing ingredients from local suppliers. By getting produce, meats, and other products you use from nearby farmers and producers, you can contribute to the local agricultural economy and reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.”
• Host a “Know Your Farmer” event for World Food Day. Although it may be too late to organize an event this year, think ahead. “Organize an event [next year] where you can highlight your local farmers. Plan the event program to include activities your customers can enjoy and learn. You can do farm tours, product demonstrations, and Q&A sessions so the attendees can pick the brains of the folks who tend the land and raise the animals. This creates a sense of community among guests and your restaurant [or grocery chain], boosting the brand image of your business that emphasizes your immense support of local products and the economy in your area.”
• Conduct interactive food safety workshops. “Transform your restaurant [or grocery store] into a vibrant learning hub for a day by offering interactive workshops about food safety to your guests. As you plan your workshops, envision a hands-on approach that engages your participants on multiple levels. Interactive demonstrations and practical exercises are the best way to do that, from proper handwashing techniques to safe food storage practices.”
• Donate healthy meals. “As a restaurant [or grocery store] owner, contributing to this celebration by donating healthy meals to those in need is an incredible effort to give back to your community. You can extend a helping hand to individuals and families facing food insecurity while also spreading a message of compassion and solidarity. To do this, you can collaborate with your chosen organization in your area that shares your value in serving those in need. It could be a local food bank, shelter, or community center.”
• Host a food safety quiz. Quiz shows remain a popular staple of television. Embrace this trend. “Take this as your opportunity to educate staff and customers in a fun and interactive way. It’s a strategic way for you to have a collaborative activity with your staff and customers during your celebration, making them feel that sense of belongingness. … Don’t forget to reward the participants with prizes or incentives like gift cards, coupons, or discounts.”
• Promote sustainable packaging. “Adopt sustainable packaging options in your business to show customers your advocacy for protecting the environment. This means choosing packaging materials that are biodegradable, compostable, or made from recycled materials whenever possible.”
• Partner with health organizations in your locality. “Fostering a partnership with your local health organizations is definitely a great addition to your celebration and initiative to promote healthy eating habits and overall well-being within your community. Above all, both of you can benefit from cross-promoting each other to a higher market reach and more enhanced branding image. This might include local hospitals, community health centers, public health departments, or non-profit agencies focused on nutrition and wellness.”
• Engage on your social media. “What’s a better way to connect with a wider audience than having your social media do the work for you? To kick off your social media campaign for this [World] Food Day celebration, make resonating content that can attract your target audience. This might include visually appealing graphics, captivating videos, or informative posts that highlight the significance of the theme.”
The staff at Days of the Year observes, “World Food Day is not only about celebrating the amazing food that people have the privilege of indulging in, but it is about raising awareness for people who do not have such privilege. People all over the world who suffer from hunger. Starvation is a massive problem in a number of countries, and we need to do more to raise awareness and combat this problem. World Food Day can also be leveraged to raise awareness about healthy diets and what bodies need. In recent times, education has grown about healthy diets and which foods are healthy or unhealthy, but we are not there yet! World Food Day offers a great opportunity to further education and awareness in this area.”
Footnotes
[1] Staff, “Right to foods for a better life and a better future,” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 2024.
[2] Chevy Claire Guantero, “9 Best Ways to Celebrate World Food Day 2024,” Tiger Menu Blog, 19 September 2024.
