October 16 is World Food Day.
At the 1996 World Food Summit in Rome, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defined food security as existing "when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life."
Watch a video about the State of Food Security and Nutrition here.
According to the FAO, an estimated 828 million people faced chronic hunger in 2022, an increase from 795 million in 2020. This equates to approximately 1 in 10 people worldwide lacking sufficient food. Various factors contribute to the rise in hunger, including but not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, climate change, economic inequality, land degradation, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, food waste, and trade disruptions.
Addressing the root causes of food insecurity—such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and land degradation—is essential for creating a world where everyone has access to adequate nourishment. Strategies for reducing chronic hunger and enhancing food security include:
- Investing in agriculture and food systems: Support for small-scale farmers, improving access to irrigation and other agricultural inputs, and reducing food waste are pivotal.
- Promoting social safety nets: Programs such as cash transfers and food subsidies can make food more affordable, especially in times of financial hardship.
- Addressing the underlying causes of poverty and inequality: Investments in education and healthcare, job creation, and the promotion of gender equality are essential.
- Taking action on climate change: This encompasses reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in climate-resilient agriculture.
Local governments are uniquely positioned to achieve the targets of SDG2. By implementing integrated strategies, they can improve access to nutritious food while simultaneously tackling the cultural, social, economic, and environmental barriers that disadvantaged communities face.
Call to Action: Does your city have a food security programme or policy you would like to share with other city makers? You can upload your project here. If you are not a registered member, sign up here
For programmes and policies related to food security search the use data base by SDGs or topic – food sustainability
Further reading:
The 2022 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report