890 tonnes of food is the balance of the anniversary World Food Day Convoy

World Food Day became part of the United Nations calendar in 1980 on the initiative of Hungary. Every year on 16 October, it reminds us that access to food is a fundamental human right and that only through joint efforts can a balanced and more sustainable diet be ensured for everyone. Approximately 8 percent of the world's population, or 673 million people, go hungry still, while in the Europe and Central Asia region, it is about 2 percent of the total population, or 24 million people.

The power of solidarity and partnerships was demonstrated this morning as a convoy of food donations rolled through downtown Budapest, organized by the Hungarian Food Bank Association and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The convoy of trucks delivered 40 tonnes of donations from domestic and international food companies to families and communities in need, making a brief stop at Heroes’ Square.

Eighty years of eradicating hunger

This year’s World Food Day marks a special milestone: It is 80 years since FAO was established as a specialized United Nations agency on agricultural development and eradicating hunger. Its main message is clear: A sustainable, quality future is a shared responsibility. The World Food Day donation convoy in Hungary is a symbol of this; it has delivered a total of 890 tonnes of food to tens of thousands of people and families in need since its launch 20 years ago.

“For eight decades, FAO has stood with countries and communities around the world – sharing data, knowledge and innovation to help improve agricultural policies and practices and supporting those who produce, process and distribute our food,” said Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative. “But the truth is: As no one piece in a large mosaic can reveal the full picture, no single country, organization or element of society can attain alone a new sustainable and resilient world free from hunger and malnutrition. As this year’s World Food Day theme suggests, the only way forward is together, through genuine partnerships and strong collaboration.”

This year's World Food Day slogan is "Hand in hand for better foods and a better future". According to Oszkár Ökrös, Deputy State Secretary for International Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture, the slogan perfectly highlights the power of collaboration and the potential of international development projects. “Hungary is committed to transforming agrifood systems for eradicating poverty, ending hunger and malnutrition and reducing inequalities,” he said. “We believe that food security issues must be solved locally, through sustainable development programmes and the development of expertise.”

The potential for change is in every slice of bread

“Fiat panis”, or “Let there be bread”, is the motto of FAO. The co-organizer of the food donation convoy, the Hungarian Food Bank Association, also shares this message. And they believe that it is similarly important not to let bread go to waste. 

“If we put the food surpluses produced annually in the country on trucks, the line would reach from Budapest to Nuremberg. Of these, the Food Bank has saved more than 288 million portions and delivered them to those in need in the past 20 years. Among the products, most of which are nearing their expiration date or have packaging defects, leftover baked goods make up the largest share; nowadays we collect approximately 10 000 kg every day from the largest supermarkets to deliver them to people in need,” said Szilvia Szabó, the Executive Director of the Food Bank.

The Food Bank is partnering with hundreds of producers, traders and catering units to save surplus food and deliver that to the needy with the help of volunteers and a smaller local charity organization.

In their joint charity campaign with the popular Hungarian band Honeybeast, they are now building a new kind of collaboration, in which they are trying to mobilize the population of the city of Szeged for a good cause.

“We invited the city’s population to make a community donation so that the Food Bank’s lunch rescue programme can be launched in Szeged and the surpluses remaining in our city’s canteens and canteens can reach those in need,” shared Zsófi Tarján, singer of Honeybeast, with the audience. “One million forints were collected in just a few days, and we are still waiting for well-intentioned donations. The issue of waste can only be solved if we all do something about it.” It is our duty to help the vulnerable and listen to their cry for help, especially if we can offer them flawless meals that would be wasted otherwise.

Ancient grains: Our past plays a role in feeding the future

World Food Day goes beyond hunger and people in need: It also highlights the challenges of healthy, sustainable and just food systems. Ancient grains are having a growing share in the solution.

Thousands of years old grain varieties such as emmer, spelt and kamut were the staple foods of early farming societies. These have only minimally undergone the breeding waves of recent centuries, thanks to which they require less fertilizer and chemicals to produce and are tolerant of drought.

Their content may also play an important role in tomorrow’s diet, as Gergő Fekete, founder and owner of the Artizán bakery chain of Budapest, said: “These ancient grains are rich in protein and fibre, as well as antioxidants and vitamins. Due to their distinctive taste their popularity is increasing among health-conscious consumers, and artisanal bakeries also contribute to their success. Ten years ago, ancient grains were produced on only 1 hectare – now this has grown to 200 hectares.”

Donation convoy sponsors in 2025

The donation convoy shipments in 2025 came from the partners of the Hungarian Food Bank Association: Aldi Hungary, Auchan Hungary, Bio-Fungi Kft., Bonafarm Group, Budapest Party Service, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary, Danone Hungary Kft., Flora Food Hungary Kft., Gyermelyi Zrt., KFC, Kifli.hu, Kometa, KOTÁNYI Hungária Kft., Lidl Hungary, METRO Wholesale, Nestlé Hungária Kft., PENNY Hungary, Shell Hungary Zrt. and its logistics partner HAVI Logistics Kft., Tesco Hungary and Waberer’s.

©FAO/Ferenc Isza