Did you know Oct. 16 is World Food Day? On this internationally recognized day, individuals everywhere come together to declare a commitment to eradicate hunger during our lifetime and discuss what actions can be taken to achieve this. (Learn more here). 

On Oct. 10, ASA and WSF staff had the opportunity to participate in a local WFD event, serving as what event staff called #HairnetHero volunteers. Taking place at a local high school, thousands of volunteers came together to package nutritious meals for hungry people both in St. Louis and abroad. Over 382,208 meals were packed at the event! Visit www.stlwfd.org to check out pictures and learn more.

For the Thursday, on the internationally recognized WFD, we are looking to the issue again to encourage a continued conversation on world hunger and malnutrition. Research shows the goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition in our lifetime is really achievable and not just a lofty statement or vision. As stated by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

“Our world has enough food to feed every man, woman and child. Yet 870 million people…go hungry. People across the world share my outrage and are taking up the challenge to end hunger in our lifetime.”

Also, as outlined on the World Food Day’s official website, 40 countries have achieved the Millennium Development goal of halving the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015, extreme poverty rates have been cut in half, and the likelihood of a child dying prior to turning five has nearly been cut in half (WFD, 2014).

With that said, it is obvious that now is the time to join the movement to end world hunger while momentum continues to grow. The World Soy Foundation takes particular interest in #WFD2014 as these conversations are of utmost importance to furthering our mission of reducing malnutrition through the power of soy. We envision a world of thriving communities that are well-fed and well-nourished, and want to encourage individuals to participate in #WFD2014—if only to learn more about the issue of hunger and malnutrition.

Visit the World Food Day website, or www.worldsoyfoundation.org to learn more about #WFD2014. You can also check us out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to see what we’re doing to join in the movement to end world hunger.