On October 16 every year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN) celebrates World Food Day. This celebration is a collective action in which 150 countries around the world participate, making World Food Day one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar.
This year the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights and the Malta Food Agency will organize a Maltese Food Festival, on Sunday 16 October from 9:00 am to ahead in Pitkalija, in order to celebrate this day. The public will be able to visit Pitkalija, buy products and take part in thematic activities related to the concept ‘Leave no one behind’.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo spoke about the importance of securing the food supply in our country. He explained that the message behind the theme of World Food Day for this year is a priority for the government. Minister Refalo also said that the government is working non-stop to guarantee sustainability and food production.
“A very important step that we are taking as a government is that of the reform in the farming, a reform based on 3 tracks, the sustainability of the agricultural sector, the protection of rural land and the security of supply of food.”
The Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said recalled that, “According to the latest global statistics, almost 40% of the world’s population does not have regular access to nutritious and necessary food. In Malta, access to local quality food remains possible only if we give all the necessary support to our farmers, villagers and fishermen”.
She concluded that, “This activity in Ta’ Qali will give a strong message both to the private sector, to the public agencies involved and to the public in general, that it is only together and with collective work that we welcome the challenges while ensuring a bright future for our country”.
The public is invited to celebrate World Food Day on Sunday 16 October during a Maltese Food Festival, in Pitkalija, from 9:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening.
