October 16, 2025 — On a day like today, 46 years ago, World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)This commemoration took place at the 20th FAO General Conference. Its first celebration took place on October 16, 1981, the date commemorating the founding of FAO in 1945.
Among FAO's core missions is to envision a world in which all people have access to sufficient, high-quality food that allows them to lead active and healthy lives. Since its founding, the FAO has done this through efforts to increase food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and innovation. This, in turn, fosters resilience and empowers people for a better life and future.
With this in mind, the celebration of World Food Day seeks to raise collective awareness about the problem of hunger, promote adequate nutrition, and strengthen global efforts to eradicate food insecurity.
This year is special because the celebration coincides with the 80th anniversary of the FAO. In addition, it inaugurates its Food and Agriculture Museum and Network in Rome as a permanent educational tool.
Historical context and relevance to the Latino community in the United States
In Latin America, especially in areas with vulnerable populations, food insecurity has been a persistent issue. Meanwhile, in the United States, many Latinos face barriers to accessing healthy food. This is due to cost, transportation restrictions, discrimination in healthcare systems, or a lack of support networks.
So for the Latino community in the United States, this day, beyond being a celebration, is an invitation to demand food justice. And the food justice that FAO fights for is more than just food; it's also the living conditions of the people who produce our food.
A clear example of this is how many Latinos are overrepresented in agricultural jobs, whether harvesting, packing, or distribution. But paradoxically, they face precarious working conditions every day that affect their access to decent food. This is how food insecurity among Latinos in the United States is statistically evident, according to the report. Feeding America:
- In 2023, nearly 14 million Latinos in the United States lacked sufficient access to healthy food for an active, healthy life—one in four Latinos experienced food insecurity.
- Latino children are particularly affected: approximately 27 % of Latino children lived in food-insecure households in 2023.
- Food insecurity rates among Latinos are significantly higher than among non-Hispanic whites in most counties across the country.
Initiatives and programs that promote the fight against World Food Day
For this year, FAO is promoting the motto “Hand in hand for better food and a better future”And in addition to its own efforts, it also supports other organizations with initiatives that seek food equity.
Among these organizations is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with its program No More Hunger (“No More Hunger: Community Call to Action”)The USDA has noted that the level of food insecurity among Latinos is nearly double the national average, and is working to connect eligible individuals with nutritional assistance.
Additionally, nonprofit organizations such as Hispanic Heritage and the Hispanic Federation also support specific campaigns to support Latino families with food pantries, urban gardens, and healthy cooking workshops. Some programs include:
- The program “Fresh Food Access For All” With the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, it provides grants to Latino businesses, community entrepreneurs, or organizations that propose solutions to improve access to healthy food in Latino communities.
- Fight against Hunger: This organization distributes food, mobilizes food supplies, and focuses its efforts on Latino neighborhoods in states such as New York, Florida, and Illinois. It also responds to crises such as hurricanes, coordinating food deliveries and immediate relief.
For more events and stories like this, follow More Latin.
English 
Spanish