FOOD MATTERS EVERY DAY: FIVE SMALL THINGS TO DO!

World Food Day was marked on 16 October. FAO’s 2026 theme focuses on innovation to feed tomorrow, combining new solutions and traditional knowledge to improve access to food while protecting the planet. What can that mean in our kitchens every day?

1. Open the cupboard before shopping

Check what you already have and list what you need. FAO recommends planning to avoid unnecessary duplicates and forgotten food. A special offer is useful when the product genuinely fits your plans.

2. Put the food to use first at the front

Make older products visible and place new, longer-lasting purchases behind them. Clearly marked contents and dates also help you keep track of the freezer.

3. Two labels, different meanings

Use by concerns safety and should not be exceeded. Best before primarily concerns quality. These dates are not interchangeable. Always follow storage instructions and directions for opened packaging.

4. Plan leftovers without making eating an obligation

Consider appropriate storage or freezing where suitable, following safety advice for that food. A clearly labelled, closed container helps you remember it. Respecting food does not mean requiring anyone to eat beyond their needs.

5. Ask before donating

FAO encourages support for organisations redistributing safe surplus food. Find a local organisation and check what it accepts and when deliveries are possible. Asking before buying makes a donation more useful than preparing a random bag.

One thing you can do today

Choose one: check the cupboard, read the labels or ask a local organisation what it needs. It is not a competition to do everything and cannot solve food access alone. It is one practical part of a larger effort involving institutions, supply chains and communities.

Food carries the work of many people and resources from the Earth. Noticing that can become gratitude; organising things so less food is lost gives that gratitude a practical expression.