World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.
The day is celebrated widely by many other organisations concerned with food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Events take place to try and promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
The World Food Day theme for 2014 was Family Farming: “Feeding the world, caring for the earth.’’ World Food Day (WFD) was established by FAO's Member Countries at the Organization's 20th General Conference in November 1979. Food waste is common, particularly in developed countries. More than one-third of all food produced globally is wasted or spoiled.
It has since been observed every year in more than 150 countries, raising awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger. Since 1981, World Food Day has adopted a different theme each year in order to highlight areas needed for action and provide a common focus.
Most of the themes revolve around agriculture because only investment in agriculture – together with support for education and health – will turn this situation around.
The bulk of that investment will have to come from the private sector, with public investment playing a crucial role, especially in view of its facilitating and stimulating effect on private investment.