Yesterday was the annual international observance of World Food Day. Started in 1981 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Food Day was initiated to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization on October 16th, 1945. The purpose of World Food Day (WFD) is “to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger.”
Within America, approximately 450 voluntary organizations sponsor individual and collaborative activities to celebrate the day. Over the years, WFD activities have included workshops on biodiversity; teleconferences and webcasts to discuss important issues such as The Politics of Hunger; fundraising campaigns such as food galas and participation in Restaurants Against Hunger; and National Food Bank Week, an attempt to increase awareness and donations to local food banks. Even the comic strip character Ziggy gets involved- cartoonist Tom Wilson creates a special Ziggy Public Service Announcement each World Food Day.
Some of the highlights around the country this year included World Food Day festivities at the United Nations headquarters in New York; a symposium in Des Moines, Iowa discussing Food and Agriculture & National Security in a Globalized World; the annual WFD teleconference (this year’s topic was Global Food Crisis: Opportunities, Responsibilities and Solutions); and various canned food drives, anti-hunger meals and church services intending to reflect upon those in need.
National sponsors of the event are wide ranging, from grassroots organizations to large-scale established groups of renown, and include: unions relating to farming, agriculture and nutrition; local and national food banks; children’s organizations; universities and other educational associations; sororities and fraternities; church organizations; and a plethora of other caring parties. For a complete list of sponsors, visit the Organizations page of the World Food Day website at: http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/CMS/2951.aspx.
If, as an individual or an organization, you would like to be a part of 2010’s World Food Day, the website has a great resource page. Start by checking out the organizations already associated with WFD and contact a local chapter in your area. If you prefer to get your organization more directly involved, go to the resources website (http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/CMS/2952.aspx) and link to Ideas in Action, a publication which includes examples of local, regional, and state-level activities. Also use the links to Community Action (ideas for action in your community), Working Together (ideas for collaborative projects), Education Materials (ideas teachers have used in the classroom to reach out to our children and increase their awareness of the issues), a comprehensive Reading List of published literature relating to hunger and food concerns, and other important information.
Missed this year’s World Food Day? Unaware it was even happening? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I happened to hear about it last minute through a random e-newsletter. And after talking to several people today regarding the event, not one could claim to know about it. Some of the best projects and programs are in the worst need of marketing. But we’ll be ready for next year- mark October 16, 2010 on your calendar and plan to host a dinner or attend an event in your area. And in the meantime, visit the WFD website (http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/) and be sure to spread the word!

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