Food, Nutrition, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

World Food Day reminds us of food and nutrition’s critical role. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the abundance of food and address the pressing issues of hunger and malnutrition that persist worldwide. Food and nutrition are intricately linked to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how individuals like you can make a difference.

Understanding the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations has outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals to create a better and more sustainable future for all. Two of these goals are closely related to food and nutrition:

Goal 2: Zero Hunger: The goal is simple yet profound - end hunger in all its forms everywhere. It emphasizes eradicating hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being: This goal encompasses achieving universal health coverage and promoting well-being for all ages, strongly emphasizing maternal and child health, and addressing non-communicable diseases.

The Local and Global Reality of Hunger:

Hunger is not a distant problem; it exists in our communities. Access to healthy food options is not universal. Even in urban areas, food deserts create significant barriers to nutritious choices. A food desert is an area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, typically due to the absence of grocery stores or the high cost of healthy options.

Living in a food desert can lead to reliance on processed and less nutritious foods, which increases the risk of obesity and poor health outcomes independent of weight. This environment creates a cycle of malnutrition and chronic health issues.

FOCUS 2023: Water: Our Precious Resource in Peril

Water is life; water is food. Leave no one behind.

Water is the lifeblood of our planet. It sustains us, our communities, and the ecosystems we rely on. It's the foundation of our food, economy, and existence. Yet, as we look around, we see a stark reality - the world's water resources are under growing pressure.

With over 70% of the Earth's surface covered in water, you might think that we have an abundance of this essential resource. However, the truth is that only 2.5% of it is fresh, suitable for drinking, agriculture, and most industrial uses. As we face rapid population growth, urbanization, economic development, and climate change, the demand for freshwater is surging.

In recent decades, freshwater resources per person have declined by 20%, and water availability and quality are deteriorating at an alarming rate. Years of poor use and management, over-extraction of groundwater, pollution, and climate change have brought us to a tipping point. Our precious resource is at risk of being stretched beyond recovery.

Today, 2.4 billion people are living in countries facing water scarcity. Many are smallholder farmers, including women, Indigenous Peoples, migrants, and refugees. The struggle to meet daily water needs is real for these individuals, and competition for this priceless resource is rising, becoming a potential source of conflict.

Approximately 600 million people, whose livelihoods depend at least partially on aquatic food systems, are bearing the brunt of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices, and the effects of climate change. Water and food are inextricably linked, and their challenges are complex and intertwined.

Taking Action for a Sustainable Future

The time to act is now. We must find ways to produce more food and essential agricultural commodities with less water. We must ensure equitable water distribution, preserve our aquatic food systems, and ensure no one is left behind.

Governments play a critical role in this endeavor. They need to design and implement science and evidence-based policies, harness the power of data and innovation, and promote cross-sectoral coordination to better plan and manage water resources. Additionally, it must include increased investment, legislation, and the development of technologies and capacities to handle water wisely.

Furthermore, it is crucial to incentivize farmers and the private sector to engage in integrated solutions for more efficient use of water and its conservation. It's not just a matter of policy; it's a collective responsibility.

Together, we can safeguard this irreplaceable resource and ensure a sustainable future for all. Our actions today will determine future generations' quality of life and opportunities. Let's choose to manage water wisely, protect our most precious resource, and build a better world.

Taking Additional Action on World Food Day:

On World Food Day and beyond, here’s what you can do to help with the UN’s Goals:

Support Local Food Initiatives: Get involved with or donate to local food banks, community gardens, or farmers’ markets that provide fresh and affordable produce to underserved communities.
Advocate for Policy Change: Advocate for policies that address food deserts and promote access to healthy food in your community. Local governments and organizations can play a pivotal role in addressing this issue.
Food Donations with a Difference: When donating food, consider giving not just non-perishable items but also essential cooking ingredients like oil, spices, and easy-to-follow recipes. These additional considerations ensure that recipients can make the most of the food they receive.
Advocate for Food Education: Use your voice to advocate for improved food education in schools and communities. An advocate could involve contacting local school boards or community leaders to emphasize the importance of teaching nutrition and cooking skills to ensure a healthier future for all. (I teach nutrition in college, and many students don’t understand why they don’t get this education throughout school growing up.)
Donate to Hunger-Relief Organizations: Consider making financial contributions to organizations dedicated to eradicating hunger. These funds can support various initiatives, from food distribution to nutrition education programs. Holding a food drive is excellent, but what the hunger relief organization can do with money is far greater, getting the most essential foods to those in need.

Food and nutrition are linked to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. On World Food Day, let’s remember that change starts at the grassroots level. We can collectively significantly impact the path to a more sustainable and nourished world by addressing clean water access, hunger, food deserts, and promoting access to healthy food.