Food as a human right on World Food Day
The world’s farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet hunger persists. Food is the third most basic human need after air and water. Everyone should have the right to adequate food. Human rights such as the right to food, life and liberty, work and education are recognised by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and two legally binding international covenants.
Around 733 million people are facing hunger in the world due to repeated weather shocks, conflicts, economic downturns, inequality, and the pandemic. This impacts the poor and vulnerable most severely – many of whom are agricultural households, reflecting widening inequalities across and within countries.
We all have a role in promoting the right to food for a better life and a better future and bringing about positive change. So start on World Food Day – 16th October 2024.
- Find out more about World Food Day (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations).
Why the right to food is important
Over 2.8 billion people in the world are unable to afford a healthy diet. Unhealthy diets are the leading cause of all forms of malnutrition – undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and obesity, which now exist in most countries, cutting across socio-economic classes.But this precious resource is not infinite and we need to stop taking it for granted. What we eat, and how that food is produced all affect water.
Too many people suffer from hunger and are unable to afford healthy diets. More vulnerable people are often forced to rely on staple foods or less expensive foods that can be unhealthy, while others suffer from the unavailability of fresh or varied foods, lack the information they need to choose a healthy diet, or simply opt for convenience.
Hunger and malnutrition are worsened by prolonged crises that are driven by a combination of conflict, extreme weather events and economic shocks. Agrifood systems are vulnerable to disasters and crises – particularly the impacts of climate change. However they generate pollution, degrade soil, water and air, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss. Transforming agrifood systems has great potential to mitigate climate change and support peaceful, resilient and inclusive livelihoods for all.
Healthy diets are diverse, balanced in energy intake, adequate to meet nutrient needs, and moderate in the consumption of unhealthy foods. Agrifood systems can and must enable all people to consume healthy diets now and in the future for the health of people and the planet. But greater commitment, investment, and innovation approaches area needed to realise this ambition.
How you can promote food as a human right
Here’s where you can start…
- Choose local and seasonal foods: Eat plenty of fresh and seasonal vegetables and fruits daily and find ways to add more legumes, nuts and whole grains to your diet. Legumes and nuts are great sources of plant-based protein. They’re also kinder on our planet because they require less water to produce and can enhance soil fertility.
- Embrace healthy habits: Promote healthy diets among friends and family by adopting nutritious eating habits and encouraging others to do the same. You contribute to the well-being of individuals and the overall improvement of public health by prioritising healthy choices and spreading awareness.
- Diversify for biodiversity: Diversify your diet by adding traditional, locally grown and seasonal foods – in an effort to support biodiversity. Learn about their nutritional values and look up some recipes to cook meals using these ingredients.
- Practice food safety in your daily life: When grocery shopping or storing food, make sure to keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from other foods to avoid cross-contamination. Make it a habit to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before handling any food. Cook your foods thoroughly to kill any pathogens and disease-causing organisms that raw foods may have.
- Become label literate: Learn to understand food labels and ingredients lists so you can choose nutritious foods that contribute to a balanced, healthy diet. This includes information on energy (usually calories) and key nutrients such as salt, sugar and fat. Food labels also help us to make sure our food is safe to eat. Sometimes food is still safe to eat after the “best before” date, whereas it’s the “use by” date that tells you when it’s no longer safe to eat or drink.
- Reduce food waste: You can demonstrate respect for nature, farmers, and our agrifood systems by taking simple actions such as planning our meals carefully, using creative recipes to minimise food waste, or composting organic matter instead of throwing it in landfills.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
Published on Friday, September 27th, 2024, under Events