The current health crisis initiated by Coronavirus pandemic has made us all sit up and take note of the importance of maintaining our health. The need of consuming nutritious food got the long-due impetus and the problem of food scarcity got the attention it really needed. This year's World Food Day is devoted to highlight food and agriculture as a significant part of COVID-19 response. Back home in India, PM Narendra Modi will also be launching a commemorative coin to mark the special day.
World Food Day 2020: Date And History
United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) marked October 16 of every year as World Food Day in the year 1979. World Food Day 2020 also marks the 75th anniversary of FAO. Initially, World Food Day was launched to commemorate the establishment of FAO. Gradually, the day turned into a global event, creating awareness about food shortage and reviving food systems across the globe.
World Food Day 2020: Theme
Every year, World Food Day endeavours to promote food and preserve food resources. In light of the current pandemic this year, the day will be celebrated with the theme - "Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future."
(Also Read: World Food Safety Day: WHO Shares 5 Keys To Safer Food)
World Food Day aims to bring nutrition to all.
World Food Day 2020: Significance
World Food Day creates many programmes and activities to highlight and take necessary actions for food security and good nutrition for all, with a special focus on poor and vulnerable communities around the world.
In regard to World Food Day 2020, the official website of FAO says:
World Food Day is calling for global solidarity to help all populations, and especially the most vulnerable, to recover from the crisis, and to make food systems more resilient and robust so they can withstand increasing volatility and climate shocks, deliver affordable and sustainable healthy diets for all, and decent livelihoods for food system workers. This will require improved social protection schemes and new opportunities offered through digitalization and e-commerce, but also more sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the Earth's natural resources, our health, and the climate.
World Food Day 2020: How To Get Involved
FAO urges people to celebrate the people who produce, plant, harvest, fish or transport our food and call on the public to thank these #FoodHeroes who, no matter the circumstances, continue to provide food to their communities and beyond - helping to grow, nourish and sustain our world.