World Food Day 2021: Theme, Significance, History and all you need to know

World Food Day is celebrated every year worldwide on 16 October to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945.

The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

World Food Day was established by FAO’s Member Countries at the Organization’s 20th General Conference in November 1979. It has since been observed every year in more than 150 countries, raising awareness of the issues behind poverty and hunger.

World Food Day Theme for the year 2021 is “Safe food now for a healthy tomorrow”.

World Food Day 2021 will be the first International Day to be celebrated at Expo Dubai as a series of activities and events call for global solidarity in rethinking and reshaping food systems for people and the planet. A site-wide celebration will unite Expo’s family of stakeholders and visitors in a commitment to build forward better. Expo 2020 Dubai will take place from 1 October 2021 until 31 March 2022 on the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”.

Every year, a large number of events – from marathons and hunger marches, to exhibitions, cultural performances, contests and concerts – are organised in up to 150 countries across the world to celebrate World Food Day. Many events are even going digital.

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 general public. They promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure healthy diets for all.