Food Day

Food Day is a United States observance on October 24 that encourages people to think more carefully about food, from nutrition and affordability to hunger, sustainable agriculture, food waste, farm animal welfare, and the rights of farm and food-service workers. It also raises awareness of the American food system and the health concerns associated with the modern diet. Food Day’s documented focus includes both education and support for changes that organizers consider improvements to the food system.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) first started Food Day in 1975, hoping to create an event similar to Earth Day. The initial campaign lasted until 1977, then CSPI revived it in 2011. In that year, more than 2,300 events were held across the United States, with schools, farms, food banks, restaurants, nonprofits, businesses, and other groups taking part. The campaign’s history and past events show how the observance has been used to encourage conversations about where food comes from and how the food system can change.

How to Observe Food Day

Celebrate by preparing a meal with whole, fresh ingredients and taking time to consider where they came from. Try a vegetable or grain you have never cooked before, visit a farmers’ market and ask how the food was grown, or start a small herb pot or container garden. You can also learn more about food access and support your community by donating or volunteering with a local food-access program. These activity ideas connect a personal meal with broader questions about food production, affordability, and sustainability.

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