Exemplary
Classroom
Resources

World Food Day was established in 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to raise public awareness of global food issues and to strengthen efforts to end hunger and malnutrition.

This year’s theme is "Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future” recognizes that governments, the private sector and individuals must work together so that all people have access to enough diverse, nutritious, affordable and safe foods.

2025 marks the 80th anniversary celebration of World Food Day. It is hoped that students and teachers will mark this special occasion by participating in classroom activities that explore key food-related issues that illustrate the need for action in support of those without physical and/or economic access to the types of nutritious food required for healthy lives.

WHY GET INVOLVED IN WORLD FOOD DAY?

• Food is the third most basic human need after air and water – everyone should have the right to adequate food.
• An estimated 673 million people are living with hunger. (FAO, 2025)
• More than one-third of the world’s children are malnourished and one-half of all child deaths  (under age 5) are related to malnutrition. (UNICEF, 2025)
• Three billion people (40% of the world’s population),  cannot afford healthy diets, while obesity continues to increase worldwide.(FAO, 2024)
• Most of the world's hungry people are found in the developing world, but over 34 million live in the developed world.* (FAO,2024)
• Food production too often degrades or destroys natural habitats and contributes to species extinction.
• The impact of malnutrition in all its forms - undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, as well as overweight and obesity - on the global economy is estimated at USD 3.5 trillion per year. (UBS, 2023)
• Experts agree that there is enough food in the world for everyone to have enough to eat, but it is unevenly distributed.
• Agri-food systems employ 1 billion people worldwide, more than any other economic sector.* (FAO, 2024)
• No other sector is more sensitive to climate change than agriculture.

Resources 4 Rethinking encourages students and teachers to participate in World Food Day. Top R4R Picks will connect you to some excellent resources to support these efforts.

More information regarding World Food Day 2025 can be found here.