Celebrating National Food Day In US - History, Purpose, And More

Author: Megha Agarwal on Oct 18,2021

National Food Day in US is celebrated every year on October 24. The celebration first started in 1975 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), intending to create an event very similar to the likes of Earth Day. Food Day in US was also designed to raise awareness about increasing industrialization in the agriculture sector of America, the rising food prices, hunger and health crisis, and the classic American diet. The National Food Day lasted until 1977 when the Center for Science in the Public Interest revived the National Food Day campaigns later in 2011. FoodDay.org now runs the initiatives and the campaigns related to Food Day within CSPI. 

Food Day still sheds light on raising awareness and the changing behaviors related to food in the country. The issues of concern in the US include nutrition, sustainable agriculture, farm animal welfare, hunger education, food rescue, hunger, and farm and food services’ workers’ rights. 

Typically, food day in US is celebrated all over the nation with several local events to educate citizens about the food system, to gain support for policies the event will host, improvements in the current food systems like the improved nutritional labels, SNAP fundings, decreasing the use of antibiotics and so much more. 

2011 saw over two thousand events taking place across the country during National Food Day. The events keep increasing with every year. Events are hosted by various groups, including food co-ops, local Government institutions, schools and colleges, non-profit organizations, businesses, restaurants, farms and farmers, and food banks. 

About National Food Day 

After learning more about National Food Day in US, some people might wonder why such a day is needed where there already are so many specific food day events like Cake Day, Pancake Day, and other events. However, it must be stated that this day is dedicated specifically to promote natural foods and suggest that people can cut back on factory-farmed meat, sugary beverages, and processed food items. On this day, people across the country are encouraged to think more about the different types of food they put into their bodies. 

History of Food Day in US

National Food Day in US can be easily traced back to the year 1975 when it was first started by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, also known as CSPI. The organization aimed to bring attention to the significance of eating healthier and sustainable food items and hopefully inform the public about better food items and food policies. 

Purpose 

National Food Day in US is not just another holiday to help people realize the significance of nutrient-rich, high-quality food; instead, it is a holiday that allows people to be educated about a wide variety of food-related issues, including allowing them a chance to think and ponder over these issues. 

Food issues can include the importance of farm and animal welfare, improvement in nutritional food labels, farming, food service rights, decreasing the use and reliance of antibiotics in agriculture, and improving funding programs like SNAP. 

October 24th is not just celebrated as Food Day; the day is also celebrated as National Bologna Day and World Trip Day. Therefore, people can have definite choices if they want to celebrate either of these days and lead a healthier lifestyle. 

How to celebrate Food Day in US?

Anyone willing to celebrate National Food Day in US can do so in multiple ways. The primary and the most beneficial form of celebrating the day is for a person to think about how they interact with food. People are also encouraged to avoid salt-rich, over-processed food items, factory-farmed meats, and sugary drinks. 

The day also encourages people to choose a healthier lifestyle, including eating sustainably raised meat, whole fruits and vegetables, and other nutritious foods. 

Someone looking forward to spreading the word about National Food Day, help their friends and families make better food choices can use the #NationalFoodDay on their social media accounts. There are usually various community events and festivals across the country that will take part on this day, with plenty of school-based activities centered around nutrition-rich food. 

People can also contact their local government agencies and representatives and advocate for better food labels, safer food supplies, and practical funding programs to deal with food insecurity and hunger. 

Food Facts

1. 800 million people globally suffer from hunger 

2. Hunger is a massive issue in various parts of the world, with shorter life expectancy, high infant mortality rate, and lower productivity. 

3. Almost the same number of people around the world also suffer from obesity because of unhealthy diets. 

4. Obesity kills more people than hunger does 

5. Unsustainable food systems can harm the ecosystem and contribute to global warming. Changing the way our food is produced can also help tackle climate change. 

6. Tackling obesity in US alone can save hundreds of billions of dollars in healthcare costs. 

Coming closer to food and agriculture

Distancing our younger generations from the roots of the fundamentals of our food supply has led to the popularity of fast food. Every day, one in four Americans makes a choice of visiting fast-food restaurants. Over 40% of American meals are eaten outside an average home. What comes as a surprise is that children today recognize McDonald’s logo before recognizing their own names. In fact, 25% of their vegetables are consumed in the form of potato chips and fries. 

Farmer’s markets, though on the rise across the country, are still far away from the reach of the current generation. They offer an alternative opportunity to help children of this day and age to connect the dots between food on their plates, their personal welfare, and our planet’s sustainability. By selling locally grown, organic produce, farmers are becoming small-scale teachers and naturalists helping children and youngsters today, educating them about the superior quality of their food products, helping them recognize the relationship between food production and our planet’s ecosystem. 

Education is, therefore, an integral part of the National Food Day in US. It helps us all be educated on food and sustainability issues in our community. On a larger scale, Food Day is about agricultural policies and moving the country in a healthier direction, both for the consumers and our environment.