World Food Day (WFD) is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. It is observed annually on October 16, in recognition of the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. The first World Food Day was in 1981. The theme for this year's observance is "Biodiversity for Food Security". It will highlight biodiversity's role in ensuring people have sustainable access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthy lives. World Food Day planning is done at the community level. Individual groups can hold a special event. Local coalitions, representing the diversity of national sponsors, can share ideas that will involve schools, businesses, worship centers, government offices, service groups, the media, etc. Here are some ways to use the day more effectively:

Increase Awareness: provide a briefing on the issues for the media; promote WFD.
Increase Understanding: work with schools and colleges; plan a community seminar.
Increase Information: help in coordinating a research project on community food security.
Increase Support: hold a fund raiser for local and/or international projects
Increase Advocacy: seek policy commitments from public officials (or candidates).
Increase Networking: use WFD to bring together people, ideas and resources.
Increase Year-Around Action: seek to involve people in on-going service/support.
Increase Impact: devise a means to measure the year to year progress you are making; consider World Food Day the "annual meeting" for hunger activists.

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For more information on the World Food Day, contact your Southern University Ag Center parish agent or visit www.suagcenter.com.

Contact:
Southern University Ag Center Nutrition Researcher Fatemah Malekian at (225) 771-2242 or fatemah_malekian@suagcenter.com.