The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations was established in 1943 and celebrates World Food Day annually on October 16 to raise awareness and mobilize support against hunger. The theme for World Food Day 2014 was 'Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth,' emphasizing the critical role of family farmers in achieving food security, preserving natural resources, and boosting local economies. Various events are organized worldwide to engage different stakeholders in discussions and activities related to family farming and food security.

1. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) was founded in 1943 at Hot Springs
(USA) during the UN Conference on Food and
Agriculture, and it was formally instituted during the
First Session of the FAO Conference, held in Quebec,
Canada, in 1945. In doing so they took an important
step forward in man's perpetual struggle against
hunger and malnutrition.
FAO marks World Food Day each year on 16 October,
the day on which the Organization was founded in
1945.
World Food Day was first held on 16 Oct 1981.
World Food Day
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2. to raise public awareness
focus attention on food security
disseminate information
mobilize public opinion and funds in favor of the global fight
against hunger
Mandate and objectives
Core objectives:
United Nations General Assembly Resolution: 35/70
World Food Day
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3. www.fao.org/world-food-day 3
Family Farming is the focus of World Food Day 2014.
The World Food Day theme Family Farming: “Feeding the
world, caring for the earth” has been chosen to stress the vast
potential family farmers have to eradicate hunger and
preserve natural resources.
Interest in family farming is reflected in the decision of the UN
General Assembly to designate 2014 “International Year of
Family Farming.”
34th
World Food Day Observance

4. What is family farming?
Family farming includes all family-based agricultural
activities, and it is linked to several areas of the rural
development.
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Family farming is a means
of organizing agricultural,
forestry, fisheries, pastoral
and aquaculture production
which is managed and
operated by a family and
predominantly reliant on
family labour, including
both women’s and men’s.

5. Why is family farming important?
Family farming has an important socio-economic,
environmental and cultural role.
• Family and small-scale farming are inextricably linked to
world food security.
• Family farming preserves traditional food products, while
contributing to a balanced diet and safeguarding the world’s
agro-biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• Family farming represents an opportunity to boost local
economies, especially when combined with specific policies
aimed at social protection and well-being of communities.
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6. World Food Day focus for 2014 on the same theme
of the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF)
Family Farming: “Feeding the world, caring for the
earth”
• To help recognize and support the contribution of family
farming and small holder farming in eradicating hunger,
reducing rural poverty, achieving food security through
sustainable production and sustainable development of
rural areas.
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• To promote broad discussion at the national, regional and global
levels to Family Farmers and smallholders.
• To foster dialogue and promote partnerships among relevant
stakeholders including family farmers’ organizations, civil society
organizations, research centers and private sector
representatives.

7. Main messages
• Family Farming is the predominant form of agriculture both in
developed and developing countries
• Family farmers are an important part of the solution for a
world free from poverty and hunger
• Family Farmers can deploy quickly their productivity potential
when the appropriate policy environment is effectively put in
place. Put in place legal frameworks as well as pro-family
farming policies is the ultimate goal of the IYFF.
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8. Website (www.fao.org/world-food-day)
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9. WORLD FOOD DAYWORLD FOOD DAY
IS OBSERVED IN MORE THANIS OBSERVED IN MORE THAN
150 COUNTRIES150 COUNTRIES
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Target audiences
World Food Day
Governments, parliaments, local entities, UN system,
CSOs/NGOs, private sector, media,
universities/institutes/academies, youth, schools, general
public.

11. Main types of Word Food Day eventsMain types of Word Food Day events
 Ceremonies at presidential, ministerial, local government, and / or UN levels;
 roundtables, workshops, seminars, symposia, conferences, congress, forums,
meetings, courses, colloquia, panels, presentations, workshops, debates,
lectures;
 thematic displays and book exhibitions, art exhibitions;
 field visits to FAO projects and to farmer sites;
 fairs, festivals and cooking demonstrations; essay/ photo competitions;
 cultural events such as traditional songs and dance, poems, gala, concerts,
shows;
 sporting events such as football matches, race/walk, handball, cycling, etc.;
 farmer / producer competitions in crops / livestock;
 tree-planting, distribution of seedlings, seeding of lakes and ponds and other
production-oriented activities;
 awards / recognition ceremonies on the occasion of WFD, using certificates
or agricultural tools.
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12. 12
World Food Day 2014
worldwide events www.fao.org/world-food-day
Hunger RunHunger Run

13. World Food Day and IYFF
on Social Media (# WFD 2014 /#IYFF14 / #AIAF14)
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https://www.facebook.com/UNFAO
http://www.flickr.com/groups/faooftheun/pool/tags/iyff14/
http://www.pinterest.com/unfao/international-year-of-family-farming/
http://www.slideshare.net/FAOoftheUN/tag/iyff14/
https://twitter.com/IYFFNews
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=IYFF14

14. www.fao.org/world-food-day
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00153, Rome Italy
world-food-day@fao.org
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