Time until :
0
Days0
Hours0
Minutes0
SecondsTable of Contents
What is World Food Day?
World Food Day is observed every October 16 to mark the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on that date in 1945. It is the FAO's flagship awareness day for global hunger, food security and sustainable agriculture.
Why October 16?
October 16, 1945 is the date the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was founded at a meeting in Quebec City, Canada, attended by 42 nations. FAO is the longest-running specialised agency of the United Nations.
In November 1979, the 20th session of the FAO Conference (Resolution 1/79) proclaimed World Food Day to commemorate that founding date. The first observance was held on October 16, 1981, with the theme Food Comes First.
Upcoming dates
World Food Day falls on October 16 every year. The next five occurrences:
| Year | Date | Day of week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 16, 2026 | Friday |
| 2027 | October 16, 2027 | Saturday |
| 2028 | October 16, 2028 | Monday |
| 2029 | October 16, 2029 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | October 16, 2030 | Wednesday |
Global hunger by the numbers
From FAO's 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report:
- 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 — roughly 9.1% of the world population, or 1 in 11 people.
- 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity.
- 148 million children under 5 were stunted in 2022.
- The world is off-track to meet the SDG 2 Zero Hunger target by 2030; on current trends, around 582 million people will still face chronic undernourishment in 2030.
- Africa has the highest prevalence of undernourishment of any region (around 20.4% in 2023).
Recent themes
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Right to foods for a better life and a better future |
| 2023 | Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind |
| 2022 | Leave NO ONE behind |
| 2021 | Our actions are our future — Better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life |
| 2020 | Grow, nourish, sustain. Together |
Sources & references
- FAO — World Food Day — the official campaign site, including current and past themes.
- FAO — State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) — annual report with the global hunger figures cited above.
- UN — Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
FAQs
October 16 marks the founding anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which was established in Quebec City, Canada, on October 16, 1945. The FAO Conference proclaimed World Food Day in November 1979 (Resolution 1/79), and the first one was observed on October 16, 1981.
World Food Day is led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), headquartered in Rome. Over 150 countries participate, often coordinated through FAO country offices and ministries of agriculture.
FAO sets a new theme each year. The 2024 theme was Right to foods for a better life and a better future. The 2023 theme was Water is life, water is food. The 2022 theme was Leave NO ONE behind. The current theme is published at fao.org/world-food-day.
According to the 2024 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report (SOFI), 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 (about 9.1% of the global population), and 2.33 billion experienced moderate or severe food insecurity. Africa has the highest prevalence of undernourishment of any region.
Zero Hunger is Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), one of the 17 goals adopted by all UN member states in 2015. It aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
No. World Food Day is a UN observance, not a public holiday. Schools, businesses and government offices remain open in countries that mark it.