By Stephen DeAngelis
Most people understand there is an enormous difference between hunger and starvation. Neither condition is acceptable; however, when hunger turns into starvation people die. Staff members at the charity Save the Children write, “It doesn’t have to be that way.”[1] That’s why this year’s theme for World Food Day, sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, is “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The FAO staff explains, “World Food Day 2025 is calling for global collaboration in creating a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future. By working together, across governments, organizations, sectors, and communities, we can transform agrifood systems to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy diet, living in harmony with the planet.”[2]
Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QtW5tHIQu4
Although World Food Day is not a celebration per se, it reminds us that there are numerous governments, organizations, businesses, charities, and people who labor each and every day to an effort to eliminate hunger and malnutrition around the planet. They deserve our thanks and praise. Each of us, however, can play a role in helping to eliminate the twin evils of hunger and malnutrition. Staff members at the Geneva Environment Network explain, “We all have a role to play to realize the vision of a world without hunger and malnutrition. We must not let sustainable habits fall by the wayside in times of crisis. We can make healthy food choices and do our part to reduce food waste. In addition, governments, enterprises, and organizations can share their knowledge and support sustainable, resilient food systems and livelihoods. Together, we can grow, nourish, and sustain our world.”[3]
There are many factors that are contributing causes of hunger and malnutrition around the world, including: poverty, conflict, climate change, inequality, and lack of access to food, water, sanitation, and healthcare. These conditions create a vicious cycle where people cannot afford or access enough nutritious food, which leads to disease, inability to work, and further poverty, worsening malnutrition.
Staff members at the charity Action Against Hunger observe that hunger and malnutrition are especially devasting for children. They explain, “When children don’t have enough food, their brains and bodies suffer. It stops them from growing, learning, and working — from reaching their full potential. Without treatment, severe hunger can take children’s lives.”[4] Like the staff at Save the Children, they write, “It doesn’t have to be this way: hunger is predictable, preventable, and treatable. With the right tools, we can save the lives of malnourished children and help them get the nutritious food they need to thrive. We can create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good — first, we must tackle its root causes.”
Food distribution is one challenge. The Action Against Hunger staff reports, “There is more than enough food produced in the world to feed everyone on the planet. Yet 673 million people still go hungry.” A robust global food value chain is one way to address that challenge. However, transporting food is only the beginning of the challenges. Once food is in place, it must be distributed in a way that doesn’t undermine the local agriculture sector or the local retail community.
Hunger is not just a problem found in the developing world. Staff members from Feeding America report 47 million people in the United States face food insecurity and accompanying negative health consequences.[5] They write, “Everyone deserves healthy food to live a full, healthy life. Yet millions of hardworking families still face hunger — and when people don’t have enough to eat, it impacts their health, education, and future opportunities.” They add, “The good news? Together, we can create a future where every person has the food they need to thrive. Discover how hunger affects your neighbors — and how your actions can make a real difference.”
Any of the charities cited in this article will welcome your donation. Local food banks and soup kitchens will also welcome your donation of money or food. If you can’t afford to donate money or food, perhaps you could donate your time and effort. We can all do something. As the Feeding America staff concludes, “Every person, in every community, deserves access to the food and resources they need to thrive.” World Food Day is a good time to contribute to ending hunger and malnutrition. The bottom line is: We can work “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”
Footnotes
[1] Staff, “When is World Food Day: Monday, October 16, 2025,” Save the Children.
[2] Staff, “World Food Day 2025,” Food and Agriculture Organization.
[3] Staff, “World Food Day 2025,” Geneva Environment Network.
[4] Staff, “What Causes Hunger?” Action Against Hunger.
[5] Staff, “Hunger in America,” Feeding America.
