Our Actions are our Future

: Category: Food & Community; Published: 01 October 2021

large PosterWFD2021 print EN Celebrating World Food Day on October 16, 2021

Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life

By Roger Rodrigo

Three billion people don’t have a healthy diet. In other words, they’re eating less nutritious food. On the other hand, two billion people are fat. In other words, they’re eating too much or consuming the wrong food.

So what’s wrong with the above? Everything. It means we have two large sets of people on opposite ends of the rating scale, neither have found the right way to treat or approach food issues.

Why are we’re so dull? That’s because we take food for granted. Or we could rank among the unfortunate for whom having food was not a given. Where we had to beg, borrow, lie or steal to get food. And yet they say money is the root of all evil.

Let’s face it. We’re all guilty of bingeing, wasting or mishandling food. Food, either cooked or raw is precious. Let’s remember that. It takes a hell of a lot of effort and expense to get it to our plates.

Let’s put on a new hat, throw away the old habits and learn to treat food as it should, with respect, remembering there are others to whom having a scrap may be a gift from God.

And yes, let’s celebrate World Food Day on October 16, 2021, with a new, refreshing attitude.

With the theme "Our actions are our future- Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life."

Here’s the message.

“The food we choose and the way we consume it affect our health and that of our planet. It has an impact on the way agri-food systems work. The UN Secretary-General is convening the very first Food Systems Summit in September to launch bold new actions to transform the way the world produces and consumes food, to get back on track to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We all need to be part of the change.”

Collective action across 150 countries is what makes World Food Day one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. Hundreds of events and outreach activities bring together governments, businesses, NGOs, the media, and the general public. They promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all.