World Food Day 2026

World Food Day falls on 16 October, the anniversary of FAO's founding in 1945. It focuses on hunger, nutrition, farmers' livelihoods and making food systems more equitable and sustainable.

World Food Day is observed on 16 October, the anniversary of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The FAO Conference established the day in 1979, and the first broad international observance followed in 1981. Its purpose was to draw sustained attention to hunger, malnutrition, agriculture and the systems through which food is produced and distributed. Over time the discussion has expanded to include farmers' livelihoods, resilient agriculture, food safety, nutrition, biodiversity, water, climate pressures and the enormous amount of food lost or wasted. The day is therefore not simply about celebrating food; it asks why sufficient nutritious food remains inaccessible to many people and what governments, producers, businesses and consumers can do about it. FAO and partners mark the occasion through annual themes, public campaigns, school activities, technical discussions and community initiatives aimed at making agrifood systems more inclusive, sustainable and capable of nourishing everyone.

Advocates food security, nutritious diets, resilient farming and fair, sustainable agrifood systems.

Food-security discussions, nutrition education, food-waste reduction, school gardens and responsibly organised food support; not a religious feast.

FAO-led worldwide observance on 16 October. Campaign themes and local concerns differ, from hunger and school meals to climate resilience and food loss.