Today In History: World Food Day

'Foods’ stands for diversity, nutrition, affordability, and safety. A greater diversity of nutritious foods should be available in our fields, in our markets, and on our tables, for the benefit of all.

-- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

October 16th marks World Food Day, a time to recognize the importance of food security; healthy diet; and the myriad of social, political, economical, and cultural aspects of food and food production, especially with regard to sustainability and biodiversity. Its roots date back to the founding of the United Nations'  Food and Agricultural Organization in 1945 and subsequent organizations and institutions that continue to fight against hunger and malnutrition. In 2024, the theme pertains to the right of food "for a better life and better future", building upon themes established annually since 1981.

As we recognize World Food Day, we also draw attention to highlighted databases covering nutrition education, as well as the Fall 2024 Curiosity Cabinet display, Enduring Cookbooks: Food for Thought; and the upcoming Offit Gallery exhibit, Food in Art: Delicious Inspiration.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Jennings, N. (1975, Apr 16). It's the Farmer That Feeds Us All: Tomorrow Is World Food Day, with Special Concern for the Underfed.  Newsday (1940-) 
• World Food Day; Test Scores; Sound Advice; Desegregation; More: Bulletin Board. (1982, Oct 12). The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Sugarman, C.  (1985, Oct 13). A Share of the Commitment: Three-Day Local Observance Planned for World Food Day. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Celebrating World Food Day. (1986, Oct 15). The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Bush Proclaims World Food Day. (1991, Nov 03). Atlanta Daily World (1932-) 
• Ommerman, B. (1991, May 12). Students Join Hunger Fight. Newsday (1940-) 
• World Food Day to Focus on Nutrition. (1992, Oct 16). The Hindustan Times (1924-) 
• Taft, J. (1996, Oct 16). 'Food Security' Means More Than Calories. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Education Briefs. (2001, Oct 13). Afro-American (1893-) 
• Boustany, N. (2008, Oct 25). Warrior for the Hungry Masses: U.S. Coordinator of World Food Day Is Led 'To Do What I Can'. The Washington Post (1974-) 

Tips:

• Campos, H., & Ortiz, O. (2019). The Potato Crop: Its Agricultural, Nutritional and Social Contribution to Humankind (1st ed. 2020.). Springer International Publishing AG. e-book.
• Coglianese, C., Finkel, A. M., & Zaring, D. (2009). Import Safety : Regulatory Governance in the Global Economy (1st ed.). University of Pennsylvania Press.  e-book.
• Hewitt, C. (2022). The Temporary European : Lessons and Confessions of a Professional Traveler. Travelers’ Tales. e-book.
• Nishinari, K. (2020). Textural Characteristics of World Foods (First edition.). John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. e-book.
• Yannou-Le Bris, G., Serhan, H., Duchaine, S., Ferrandi, J.-M., & Trystram, G. (2020). Ecodesign and Ecoinnovation in the Food Industries (1st ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. e-book.

Images:

Exotic Asian Fruit at a Market, Courtesy PickPik

Poster Image: World Food Day, Courtesy of Canva

Need to keep current, look to the past, teach a topic? The Everett Cafe features daily postings of news from around the world, and also promotes awareness of historical events from an educational context. Be sure to check additional Cafe News postings on the library blog.