Our survival can be guaranteed if we have adequate supply of food. But despite this need, there is a prospect of food losses each day throughout the world. The continued waste bears a direct reference to how much is available for human consumption.
THE PROBLEM
The sustainability of our food systems is threatened by food loss and waste. All of the resources necessary to produce the food, including as labor, capital, water, land, and energy, are wasted when food is lost or wasted. Furthermore, throwing away food waste and losing in landfills releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. Food loss and waste can also raise the price of food and have a detrimental effect on food availability and security.
THREAT TO GLOBAL FEEDING
It is imperative that we embrace integrated initiatives aimed at reducing food loss today and waste, as sustainable food systems are prerequisites for resilience. Both locally and worldwide, action is needed to maximize the use of the food that we produce. Implementing this revolutionary transition will require the introduction of new technologies, creative solutions, new working methods, and best practices to manage food quality and lower food loss and waste.
THE PARADOX
Despite the fact that there are an estimated 735 million hungry people in the world, food loss and waste are a methane hotspot and produce 8–10% of greenhouse gases.
WORLD FOOD DAY
Despite the fact that farmers worldwide produce enough food today to feed everyone on the planet, hunger still exists. After oxygen and water, eating is the third most basic human necessity, hence everyone should have access to enough food. For the benefit of everyone, this World Food Day promotes the need for a wider variety of nutrient-dense foods to be available in our markets, farms, fishing nets, and on our tables.
WHY MARK IMPORTANT EVENTS
International days and weeks are opportunities to raise public awareness of important concerns, rally support for global solutions through political action, and recognize and celebrate humankind’s accomplishments. International Days have been around since before the UN was founded, but the UN has embraced them as an effective campaigning tool. We observe several UN holidays as well.