FAO, WFP and WHO joined their voices to mark the World Food Day locally by promoting healthy nutrition and food solidarity in Moldova

The event was hosted by EcoLocal, a weekly fair where local farmers sell and share organic produce, and where the organizers invited the guests to enjoy smoothies as a way to reduce food waste and promote nutritious food.

For this special occasion, more activities were organized: free smoothies of fresh fruit and vegetables from EcoLocal suppliers were offered to the people, the guests had the chance to hear stories of local producers and informative sessions on nutrition with Daniela Madan (WHO nutrition expert). An exhibition of "ugly" fruits and vegetables was being held to emphasize the need to avoid the waste of agricultural products that are not visually attractive but have the same nutritional value.

The challenges that many people are facing this year in securing their daily food was a subject with a special focus on.

Vasile Șarban, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, stated the following: "We are currently working on a new law, with the support of FAO, to prevent food waste. But, in the same context, we urge citizens to moderate food consumption, because by reducing food waste we demonstrate care and responsibility for those who have limited access to food. It is important to understand the value of the products we have on the table."

In the same context, Tudor Robu, FAO Deputy Representative in the Republic of Moldova, added the following: "FAO, through all its work, focuses on 4 improvements highlighted by the World Food Day: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life. But this year FAO also has a strong message - Leave no one behind. Because 2022 has brought extreme challenges: the ongoing pandemic, armed conflicts, the strong impact of climate change, the rising prices and international tensions. In these multiple crises we are facing, each of us must learn to reduce food waste. Because when we waste less, we save more and then we have more to share"

“In a world with over 345 million people going hungry to bed every night due to conflict, climate change and many other reasons, an increase of more than 63 million this year alone, World Food Day assumes an even greater importance than normal” said Jonathan Campbell, Emergency Coordinator of WFP Moldova, “This means it is even more important that everyone has a better understanding of healthy nutrition and that we reduce food wastage which in some countries can reach 40%”.

“Increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns. WHO recommends eating at least 400 g. or five portions of different colors of fruit and vegetables per day to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases and helps to ensure an adequate daily intake of dietary fibre. Enhancing strategies to promote fruit and vegetable intake are essential for health promotion among population”, stated Dr. Miljana Grbic, WHO Representative to the Republic of Moldova.

Ana Sîtnic, owner of the Rozmarin cafe and partner of the event, added: "We, at Rozmarin, believe in the fact that solutions to crises can be found precisely through collaborations, either with the public or the private sector. I'm glad that we were able to collaborate altogether, with the UN agencies and the EcoLocal Association. As our restaurant is investing in composting, we manage to give value to the products with a waste potential. Therefore, we share the same goal.”

"The concept of the “EcoLocal fair”, where the “Adding value to food” event took place to mark the World Food Day, is about “supporting local producers, educating the audience on food waste and on the essential necessity of consuming healthy, organic food”, said Tamara Șchiopu, Honorary president of the "EcoLocal" Association.

World Food Day is an international day celebrated every year worldwide on October 16th to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). In Moldova, World Food Day was celebrated in 2022, on November 19.

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For more information on the event, please contact:

FAO - Olga Chimirciuc, Communications Consultant: olga.chimirciuc@fao.org; + 373 79772351

WFP - Daniela Oleinic, Communications Associate: daniela.oleinic@wfp.org; +373 69127936

WHO - Rodica Munteanu, Communications Officer: munteanur@who.int; +373 79465959