Hand in Hand for Better Foods: Celebrating World Food Day 2025

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16th, a day dedicated to raising awareness about global hunger, food insecurity, and the need for sustainable food systems. The 2025 theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” invites everyone—from governments and organizations to individuals and communities—to unite in transforming agri-food systems to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food while protecting the planet.

As the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, World Food Day takes on an added significance. It is a call to collective action, innovation, and commitment toward creating a peaceful, sustainable, and food-secure future.

The Urgency Behind World Food Day 2025

Today, nearly 673 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, even as obesity rates rise in many places, and food waste reaches staggering levels. These paradoxes underscore how unbalanced and complex global food systems have become. Moreover, food production and distribution significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key battlefield in the fight against climate change.

This year’s call to action is urgent: transforming food systems is essential not only to end hunger but to tackle the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution.

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The Four Betters Guiding Our Efforts

World Food Day 2025 focuses on the Four Betters, a framework championed by the FAO as pillars for progress:

• Better Production: Implementing sustainable farming practices that increase efficiency, preserve biodiversity, and reduce environmental impact.
• Better Nutrition: Ensuring access to healthy, diverse, and culturally appropriate diets for all.
• Better Environment: Promoting food production methods that protect and restore ecosystems.
• Better Life: Supporting livelihoods and fostering social equity and inclusion in food systems.

These pillars steer global dialogue, policies, and initiatives that aim to create food systems balancing human health, environmental health, and social well-being.

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Global Events That Unite Us

World Food Day is much more than a single day; it’s a global movement with thousands of events annually across nearly 150 countries. Activities range from exhibitions, marathons, and cultural performances to contests, workshops, and conversations on sustainable food futures.

For example, this year in Rome, as part of FAO’s 80th-anniversary celebrations, the Food and Agriculture Museum & Network (MuNe) will open its doors. This permanent educational experience will offer immersive exhibits, workshops, and multimedia displays that highlight humanity’s connection to food and agriculture through art, science, and culture.

In Geneva, a series of exhibitions and online events aim to educate and engage the public on sustainable food systems, including the “FAO at 80: A Legacy of Action, A Future of Innovation” exhibition, and youth-focused initiatives encouraging innovation in food solutions.

These events bring together policymakers, experts, activists, and citizens, forging partnerships that drive meaningful change locally and globally.

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Individual and Community Action: Everyone’s Role

World Food Day reminds us that everyone has a role in shaping a better food future. Simple actions can collectively create massive impact:

• Making Healthy Food Choices: Prioritize nutrient-rich, diverse diets that support health and the environment.
• Reducing Food Waste: Plan meals, store food wisely, and compost scraps to minimize waste.
• Supporting Sustainable Producers: Choose local, organic, and fair-trade foods when possible.
• Raising Awareness: Share stories, participate in campaigns, and educate others about food security and sustainability.
• Advocating Policy Change: Encourage leaders to invest in resilient agri-food systems and social protections for vulnerable populations.

These everyday decisions contribute to a food system that nurtures people and the planet.

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Youth Empowerment and Innovation

The World Food Forum, a FAO-hosted platform launched in 2021, highlights youth as vital changemakers. Through science, technology, investment, and innovation, young leaders around the world are developing solutions to hunger and environmental challenges.

Initiatives such as school garden competitions, food for thought quizzes, and local innovation contests engage youth in sustainability practices and inspire them to carry forward the vision of “Hand in Hand” collaboration for a food-secure future.

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The Path Forward: Building Resilient Food Systems

Addressing hunger and malnutrition while protecting natural resources requires a holistic and inclusive approach. Resilience—capacity to adapt and thrive amid shocks like climate disasters or pandemics—is central.

Policies promoting agroecology, biodiversity, social equity, and circular economies are vital. Collaboration between governments, private sectors, civil societies, academia, and communities ensures efforts are effective and lasting.

The launch of the Food and Agriculture Museum & Network symbolizes this ongoing journey, emblematic of knowledge-sharing and cultural exchange vital for progress.

Conclusion: Join The Global Movement

World Food Day 2025’s theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” challenges us to unite beyond borders and sectors. As we celebrate the 80 years of FAO’s dedication, we acknowledge the power in collective action and daily choices.

Everyone, everywhere, can contribute to a better food tomorrow—whether through mindful consumption, community involvement, policy advocacy, or innovation. Together, we can end hunger, preserve our planet, and ensure a thriving, equitable future for all.

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This blog post covers the importance of World Food Day 2025, its theme, global and local events, key pillars of progress, and actionable steps for individuals and communities to engage in building better food systems hand in hand.