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According to the Global Report on Food crisis, 2023 saw over 282 million people in 59 countries and territories suffer acute food insecurity, a staggering number that represents a 24 million increase compared to the previous year.
Conflict, extreme weather events, and economic shocks are attributed as the main drivers behind acute hunger worldwide, which disproportionally affects children and vulnerable populations . Hunger Month in May is an opportune time to raise critical awareness about these unconscionable statistics, especially given that the world produces enough food to feed every single person, yet complicated social, economic, and political factors attribute to the persistence of worldwide hunger.
According to the World Economic Forum, ending hunger and poverty in a sustainable way is morally right, politically beneficial, and economically feasible. For world leaders, many of whom have committed to end hunger by 2030 as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inaction is no longer an option.
In South Africa, factors such as the the weakening rand, persistent and escalating power instability, unfavourable weather conditions and supply chain interruptions are, according to the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), additional factors contributing to the excessively high food inflation rate. Global issues such as war and unrest also cause a knock-on effect locally, with commodity and currency fluctuations further exacerbating the prevailing high food prices. This then worsens the daily struggle of vulnerable populations who cannot afford even the most essential food items.
In South Africa, over 30 million people are food insecure or at risk, with urgent intervention from governmental bodies and the general public needed to combat hunger, poverty, and child malnutrition. Tackling this pressing issue both locally and globally also requires a transformation of our food production systems, including the implementation of measures to reduce food waste and increase the availability of food for consumption.
One organisation that is proactively helping to redirect surplus food to feed communities in need and fight against hunger and child malnutrition, is FoodForward SA.
“More than 80% of the food we recover is nutritious food. Recovering this surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and distributing it to those in need provides immediate relief, helping to prevent malnutrition and starvation in our country” comments Andy Du Plessis, MD of FoodForward SA.
With an estimated one-third of all the food produced in the world going to waste, which equates to 1.3 billion tons of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, seafood and grains, initiatives to recover nutritious food and redistribute it to the hungry not only addresses immediate hunger but also has long-term health, social, and environmental benefits.
Addressing hunger is crucial, and every small effort can make a big difference. Whether it’s donating food, volunteering time, or supporting organisations working to eradicate hunger, there are many ways to contribute. This Hunger Month, donate here to help broaden FoodForward SA’s reach into vulnerable communities. FoodForward SA also has an ongoing volunteer programme throughout the year, allowing for schools, corporates and individual volunteers to spend time at their warehouses to assist with the checking, sorting, and preparation of food to be distributed to beneficiary organisations. Click here for more information.