World Food Day: Have We Forgotten the Value of Food?
Imagine a child going to bed hungry while, somewhere else, perfectly good food is being thrown into a dustbin. Imagine a farmer working tirelessly for months to grow rice, only to see the value of that hard work overlooked. These contrasting realities reveal one of the greatest ironies of our world: although food is essential for survival, its true value is often forgotten. When I think about the paddy fields, the harvest and the traditional meals that were part of our lives during childhood, I feel a deep sense of nostalgia. Those memories remind me that food is much more than what we eat; it connects us to our land, our families, our traditions and the hard work of generations. World Food Day, observed on October 16 every year, gives us an opportunity to reflect on these connections and ask ourselves whether we truly value the food on our plates.
Our childhood memories often carry the fragrance of freshly prepared food and the warmth of family life. I look back with affection on the traditional meals served on banana leaves, which represented not only the richness of our food culture but also the love and care shared within a family. My memories of those meals are closely connected to the agricultural life that surrounded us, particularly the paddy fields and the harvest. Rice was not simply a staple food; it represented the outcome of months of labour, patience and hope. Behind every grain stood the farmer who prepared the land, sowed the seeds, cared for the growing crop and waited for the harvest. The traditional food prepared and shared by our mothers brought together the efforts of the land and the affection of the home. Looking back today, I feel that we have much to learn from that close relationship between food, farming and family.
Farmers remain among the most important contributors to society. Their work sustains families and communities, yet agriculture is often affected by unpredictable weather, rising production costs, water shortages and uncertain market prices. The food that reaches our dining tables passes through many hands, including those of farmers, agricultural workers, transporters and vendors. Each deserves recognition and respect. Protecting agricultural land, supporting sustainable farming and ensuring fair returns for farmers are essential for the future of food security. When we waste food, we overlook not only its monetary value but also the labour and natural resources invested in producing it. Remembering the effort behind every grain of rice can help us develop a deeper sense of responsibility towards those who feed the nation.
At the same time, our food habits are changing rapidly. Fast food, packaged snacks, sugary drinks and heavily processed meals have become increasingly common, particularly among younger generations. Traditional home-cooked meals, seasonal vegetables, pulses and locally grown grains sometimes receive less attention. Modern food is not necessarily unhealthy, but excessive dependence on highly processed foods can affect nutritional balance and long-term health. Our traditional food practices offer valuable lessons about variety, moderation and the use of fresh, locally available ingredients. The banana-leaf meals that many of us remember also remind us that eating can be a meaningful family and cultural experience rather than merely a hurried daily activity. We should welcome the conveniences of modern life while preserving the healthy practices and food traditions that deserve to be passed on to the next generation.
Food wastage is another challenge that demands our attention. Food discarded at homes, restaurants, weddings and public functions represents a waste of money, water, energy, land and human labour. At a time when many families struggle to afford nutritious meals, such waste should make us pause and reconsider our habits. We can all contribute by taking only as much food as we can eat, storing it properly, sharing surplus food safely and planning meals thoughtfully. Communities, voluntary organisations and governments also have an important role in improving food distribution and supporting people who face hunger. Food security is not simply about producing enough food; it is also about ensuring that people can access it and that available resources are used responsibly. A society that values food must care equally about those who produce it, those who consume it and those who still go without it.
On this World Food Day, my thoughts return to the paddy fields, the harvest and the traditional meals served on banana leaves during my childhood. Time has changed our lifestyles, our surroundings and our eating habits, but those memories continue to remind me of the value of food and the importance of family traditions. I feel nostalgic for a time when the connection between the land, the harvest and the meal seemed more visible in everyday life. I believe that we should not allow that understanding to disappear as new generations grow up in a faster and more convenient world. We must teach our children to respect farmers, appreciate traditional foods, avoid waste and understand that even an ordinary meal represents the efforts of many people. For me, the true meaning of World Food Day lies in bringing back this sense of gratitude into our daily lives. Every grain of rice carries a story of labour, nature and human care. If we learn to respect that story, we will be taking a meaningful step towards a world where food is valued, waste is reduced and no one is forgotten at the dining table.
Rajesh Mohan Rao Dharmadam Thalassery Kannur Kerala
The author is a Higher Secondary School Teacher teaching commerce subjects and Member of Konkani language working committee Kerala state and also the President of Dharmadam Chandrakala Mohan Rao Cultural Forum which serves the community
