World Food Day is a world day celebrated each year around the world on October 16 under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This date was chosen because it is the date of the foundation of the FAO in 1945. Since then, the day has been celebrated annually in more than 150 countries, with the aim of raising public and political awareness of the issues of poverty and hunger.
Since 1981, World Food Day has adopted a different theme each year to highlight different priority areas for action and provide a common focus.
The theme for 2020 is "Cultivate, nourish, preserve. Together". It was chosen because the Covid-19 global health crisis was an opportunity to reflect on what we really care about and our most fundamental needs. In these uncertain times, it has allowed many of us to rediscover something we often take for granted and which many are deprived of: food.
Food is the essence of life and the foundation of our cultures and communities. Preserving access to safe and nutritious food is - and will continue to be - an essential part of the Covid-19 response, especially for the world's poorest and most vulnerable who are hardest hit by the pandemic and the economic shocks it generates.

At a time like this, it is more important than ever to recognize the need to support our food heroes - the farmers and workers throughout the food system - who keep food moving from the farm to the table, even in the face of such unprecedented disruptions as the current Covid-19 crisis.