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In Cox’s Bazar, Sabekun Nahar revives the traditional Rohingya dish musa, using food, memory and culture to reconnect displaced communities with identity and belonging.
Overweight and obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation posing risks to health, are on the rise worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019 an estimated 5 million deaths from noncommunicable diseases were linked to overweight and obesity. Obesity represents one side of the “double burden of malnutrition”, with more obese people than underweight in every region except South-East Asia. Once largely confined to high‑income countries, obesity has now become a major public health concern in many middle‑income nations, as well. Let's act on obesity to ensure a healthy life for all.
Pulses possess exceptional nutritional attributes, and their cultivation provides immense environmental benefits. Yet, per capita consumption has declined in many countries, both developed and developing. Dietary shifts, changing consumer preferences, and a lingering perception in some contexts that pulses are “humble” or traditional foods have contributed to this downward trend. This World Pulses Day (10 February), let’s challenge the misconceptions that overshadow these crops and celebrate the true excellence of pulses in making nutritious diets accessible to all.
Inside the Hagadera Refugee Camp in Dadaab, Kenya, Mariam has cultivated a thriving kitchen garden over the past 19 years, following her arrival from Somalia due to political unrest. Supported by the EU-funded Refugee Settlement Project and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), her garden produces nutritious crops like spinach, kale, and jute mallow, surpassing others in quantity and quality. Fellow community members frequently visit to admire her garden and learn from her. The project aims to expand support to another 2,000 households, promoting vegetable gardening and backyard chicken rearing to improve nutrition and dietary diversity for families in the camp.
Healthy food in schools is crucial for children’s lifelong dietary habits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) new guidelines, and with childhood obesity rising and undernutrition persisting, schools play a key role in addressing this double burden. In 2025, 188 million school-aged children were living with obesity. WHO recommends setting standards to promote healthy foods while limiting unhealthy options and implementing nudging interventions to encourage better choices. Effective policies and enforcement are essential, yet only 48 countries have restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods. Prioritizing nutrition in schools is vital for future health and well-being.
How much do you know about food loss and waste? Let’s find out! These brainteasers, quizzes, and crosswords will put your knowledge to the test.
In Peru, the Awajun community, supported by the Avanzar Rural project, adapts cacao farming to climate change, improving yields, incomes, and market access for smallholders.
FAO’s documentary highlights how anticipatory action engages communities to build inclusive, timely, and resilient disaster preparedness.
UN agencies warn that acute food insecurity is set to worsen in 16 countries and territories in the coming months, urging immediate humanitarian action in hunger hotspots. Here are five key facts.
Food waste isn’t just what’s scraped off plates, it’s a quiet crisis echoing through our climate, economies, and the lives of millions who go hungry. The 2024 Food Waste Index reveals that 19% of consumer-available food is wasted, causing emissions five times higher than aviation, while a third of humanity faces food insecurity. Yet, individuals and communities can act creatively. Chef Massimo Bottura, UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, leads the Food for Soul initiative, turning surplus food into meals at “Refettorios” in nine countries—showing that fighting waste is both responsible and beautiful.
An estimated 673 million people face hunger, while obesity and food waste reveal deep imbalances in the global agrifood system which are under growing strain from conflict, climate change, economic shocks, and inequality. Transforming these systems to be more sustainable, equitable, and resilient requires urgent, collaborative action across borders, sectors, and generations.
Together we can create a better, more sustainable food future for all. Make World Food Day, YOUR day
A UNEP-led cold chain project in Kenya, has helped farmers reduce post-harvest losses by up to 40%, showcasing the vital role of temperature-controlled storage in improving food security.
In Benin, black soldier fly larvae decompose organic waste in 12 days, producing natural fertilizer that boosts soil and crop yields.
NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol, UNICEF’s Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Childhood Obesity, is helping lead the fight against the global childhood obesity pandemic by whipping up a healthy recipe for change.
In 2025, obesity surpassed underweight among children for the first time, driven by toxic food environments, while UNICEF’s “Fix My Food” movement empowers youth worldwide to advocate for healthier, more equitable food policies.