Today is World Food Day, an annual holiday established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1981. The holiday aims to raise awareness about issues related to food security, poverty and hunger.
World Food Day has a different theme each year. This year, the theme is “Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth.” According to the FAO website, the idea is to
“Focus world attention on the significant role of family farming in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.”
It might come as a surprise, but for all we hear about “big agribusiness,” family farms still grow the majority of the food produced around the world. And yet, according to the International Business Times, most food insecure people are farmers. Better logistical and financial support could alleviate their hunger while also allowing them to produce more food for everyone else.
How can you get involved? OxFam recommends raising awareness by inviting friends and family over for a home-cooked meal — and a discussion about issues related to world hunger, family farming and food waste. See their discussion guide here.
Meanwhile, the FAO is requesting that people show their gratitude to family farmers on social media. To participate, take a picture or make a short video that shows your appreciation and post it on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #ToastAFarmer.
What will you do to celebrate World Food Day?