On October 16, the World Food Day, one of the most important days of theUnited Nations (UN).
Hundreds of events and dissemination activities they will bring together governments, businesses, NGOs, the media and the public to promote global awareness and action for all who suffer from hunger and for the need to guarantee healthy diets for everyone.
Over 3 billions of people, 40% of the world population, they cannot afford healthy eating. Nearly 2 billion people are overweight or obese due to poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.
FAO, the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations, has calculated that by 2030 health care costs could exceed 1300 billion dollars.
Awareness events
The way we produce, consume and, sadly, waste food has heavy repercussions on our planet, as natural resources, the environment and the climate are unnecessarily exposed to a strong stress.
All too often food production it deteriorates or destroys natural habitats, contributing to the extinction of species.
Through collective action involving 150 states in just one day, World Food Day predicts many territorial events, ranging from public awareness of the need for better nutrition, to school events, through concerts, tree planting ceremonies, cooking workshops or lectio magistralis.
Furthermore, on the Facebook page of the Day, several testimonials gave their contribution: the astronaut Thomas Pesquet provided his point of view "from above", while the farmer and trainer Sireesha Tullimilli from India he told how by improving his diet he could improve his life and that of his children.
In el country, the events are concentrated in 5 cities: Genoa, Parma, Rome, Bolzano and Messina. Furthermore, some of these actions concern the whole national territory: among these there is the Rai television marathon, dedicated to the whole national territory.
Possible solutions
The solutions exist. As FAO explains, governments must reformulate old strategies and adopt new ones that favor sustainable production of nutritious food at affordable prices and promote the participation of farmers.
Strategies should promote equality and training, foster innovation, increase rural incomes, offer small farmers safety nets and guarantee climate resilience.
They must also take into account the different aspects that influence food systems: training, health, energy, social protection, financing and many more, creating a balance between them.
Finally, the Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, called the first in September 2021 Summit on Food Systems to start the transformation of the how food is produced and consumed around the world, with the aim of getting back on the right path to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
