How to Observe World Food Day

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Last Updated: August 8, 2025 References

World Food Day is observed yearly on October 16th in 150 countries throughout the world. This day marks the founding of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and works to increase the general public's knowledge of hunger, as well as encourage action in order to ensure the best future possible for the planet, food and people.^{[1]
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Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to end world hunger and improve nutrition

Go to source}There are several things you can do to observe World Food Day, which this wikiHow will discuss.

1

Educate yourself about hunger-related issues.

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Like with many, if not all, issues, educating yourself about hunger-related issues can be beneficial. Do some research to learn about agriculture, as well as hunger statistics and other facts both globally and locally.^{[2]
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- Reaching out to professionals in your area can be a good way to get started^{[3]
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2

Make a donation to a charity.

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There are plenty of charities working to help hunger-related issues. Your local food bank is a good place to start, and there are also other charities working to help hunger-related issues, both locally, regionally and internationally. Do some research to try and find charities that align with your values and beliefs, and are working to help alleviate hunger-related issues. Any donation, whether big or small, can help make a difference.
- Some examples of organizations working to alleviate hunger include Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, and Meals on Wheels America, to name just a few.
- Before donating to a charity, do some research on sites such as The Better Business Bureau and Charity Navigator to ensure that the charity is reputable.

3

Discuss World Food Day with others.

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Starting a conversation may encourage others to help. Discuss with your family and friends that October 16th is World Food Day. Share with them the significance of this day, and why it is important to you. You can also share what you've been doing to help, and some things that they can try doing.
- There is a theme for World Food Day every year. ^{[5]
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4

Contact your elected officials.

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Elected officials passing legislation is an important piece of the puzzle to helping ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. Contact your elected officials to let them know that policies protecting access to nutritious food are important to you, and politely encourage them to consider passing legislation related to this. You can also politely explain that you do not support legislation restricting access to nutritious food.^{[6]
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- If you live in the United States of America, you can use this website to find out who your elected officials are at the National, State and Local level.^{[7]
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5

Share information about hunger and World Food Day on social media.

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Posting about World Food Day on social media may help the cause reach even more people. Use the hashtag #WorldFoodDay, and tag your friends and family. Share what steps you'll take to reducing food insecurity and otherwise helping those in need. ^{[8]
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- Consider centering your social media post around the theme for the year.

6

Attend or host an event.

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On World Food Day, there are typically a variety of events held, such as marathons, cultural performances and talks, to name just a few. ^{[9]
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Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to end world hunger and improve nutrition

Go to source}Check this website to see if there are any events going on near you. If there are, consider attending them to show your support for the cause. If no events are listed as taking place near you, consider hosting one, and registering it on this website to add your event to the map so others know that it is taking place, and they can attend if they so desire.
- You don't have to be a large business to involve yourself with an event, even individuals are able to get involved.^{[10]
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  Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
  Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to end world hunger and improve nutrition
  
  Go to source}

7

Volunteer.

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Volunteering at your local food bank, or a local food distribution program is a great way to observe World Food Day. Do some research to find food banks and/or food distribution programs in your area, read the volunteering requirements, and sign up to volunteer if you meet them.
- Some organizations may be holding special volunteering events for World Food Day. If they are, consider signing up for these if you meet the requirements.

8

Start composting.

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Composting is a great way to prevent old food scraps from being wasted. You can read this article for information to help you get started, but composting is essentially a method to help ensure your scraps of food, and other items such as grass clippings, yard trim and leaves don't end up being wasted by ending up in a trash incinerator or landfill. Composting can also save you money, too, since you won't need to use as much pesticides or fertilizer. ^{[11]
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices

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- Keep in mind that you should avoid adding items such as herbicide-treated grass and plants (or plants that are infested with pests or are diseased), weeds that are aggressive and/or have seeds, dryer lint, produce stickers, glossy paper, cat litter, pet waste, or wood that has been painted or treated to your compost pile. ^{[12]
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  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  
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  - Items such as fish, bones, meat, cheese (and other dairy products), bags and other foodservice items that are marked as compostable, and cooked food in large amounts typically are not able to decompose completely in a backyard compost pile, but these items may be able to be composted at a commercial composting facility. If you have any of these items to be composted, do some research and see if you have one of these facilities near you. If you do, reach out to them and double check to see if they accept those items for composting, as specific rules and regulations may vary by facility.^{[13]
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    United States Environmental Protection Agency
    Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
    
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9

Buy locally-grown food.

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Buying your food locally helps with crop diversity, in addition to supporting local farmers in your area.^{[14]
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Research source} Visit a local farmer's market, or stop by a roadside produce stand. Not only will you be supporting a local business, you'll be observing World Food Day, too!
- If you enjoyed the food you purchased, consider leaving them a positive review, so others will want to purchase from the business as well.