World Food Day

Today is World Food Day!  World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to draw attention to the problem of hunger and encourage action.  This year’s theme is “achieving food security in times of crisis.”

In its recently released The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2009, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that “1.02 billion people are undernourished worldwide in 2009.”  Hunger is more widespread than at any time in nearly 40 years.

World hunger is not a product of insufficient production.  The world produces more than enough food to feed everyone (see Reducing Poverty and Hunger, FAO 1992).  Too often, the proposed solutions to hunger focus on increasing food production, so I was heartened to read the following statement in The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2009:

The fact that hunger was increasing even before the food

and economic crises suggests that present solutions are

insufficient and that a right-to-food approach has an

important role to play in eradicating food insecurity. To

lift themselves out of hunger, the food-insecure need control

over resources, access to opportunities, and improved

governance at the international, national and local levels.

By focusing on social rather than purely technical solutions, we can address the true roots of hunger.  It doesn’t matter that the world as a whole produces enough food for everyone if those who are hungry don’t have access to the resources or opportunities to grow or buy what they need to maintain active, healthy lives.

This world food day, reframe the issue of world hunger from a question of charity to one of justice!

World Food Day USA has a list of 2009 events in which you can participate on or around World Food Day.  Check the website to find lectures, food drives, festivals, and more.