World Food Day: Feed the Needy Food Drive by Brent Simon and Carol-Faye Bynoe-George
World Food Day is a flagship event of the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The day has been celebrated annually on October 16th. It was established in 1979 during the 20th FAO Conference to raise awareness about global hunger and promote action towards ending it. The idea came from Hungarian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Pal Romany, and since the, World Food Day has been recognized in over 150 countries.
The theme for World Food Day 2024 is “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”. This theme aims to highlight the immediate and long-term benefits of prioritising access to safe and nutritious food for all. The day serves as a platform for governments, international organizations, and civil society to advocate for policies that address food insecurity. Initiatives launched on World Food Day and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger World Food Day have influenced the development of national and international strategies to address hunger. This has helped countries to coordinate food security and agricultural policies.
The Feed the Needy Food Drive is an important annual initiative which has been in existence since 2018 and has been a collaborative effort of the Extension Division/Ministry of Agriculture, FAO, the Directorate of Gender Affairs and the Adopt a Family Charity Group.
Mr. Walter Christopher, Permanent Secretary in The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries joined some of his staff from the Extension Division who partnered with other government agencies, local farmers and businesses at the Multi Purpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre to not only raise awareness of the issue of hunger and food insecurity, but also to play a part in alleviating in a small way the impacts on Antiguan society. This group spent their day sorting and packing a variety of fruits vegetables and groceries, which were donated to persons of less fortunate circumstance.
Over sixty (60) food packages were distributed to the less fortunate and vulnerable in our society. Events such as the Food Drive is a perfect example that demonstrates that we still are our brother’s keeper and LOVE still conquers All. World Food Day, is one of the many occasions that amplifies the nation’s commitment to building a food-secure future where no one is left behind.