On the 16th of October, we celebrate World Food Day! This day is recognized by the United Nations, and is celebrated yearly. It calls for a global collaboration in creating a peaceful, sustainable, prosperous, and food-secure future.

Last month, we celebrated the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, and you can read the informative article we wrote, here.

World Food Day offers us an opportunity to remember that food is life, and that everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious meals. This year, we are celebrating this special day by shining a light on some of the most generous food providers on Earth: trees!

Trees feed the world

When we think about food, we often picture farms, gardens, or supermarkets. But, as we look a little closer, we’ll see that trees quietly fill our plates every single day. From fruits and nuts to spices and oils, trees give us many of the foods we love.

Imagine our breakfast table. Maybe we had orange juice (from orange trees), coffee (from coffee trees), or bread with a spoon of chocolate spread (made from cacao trees). Even our cooking oil may come from palm trees or olive trees. Trees are everywhere, feeding us from sunrise to sunset!

Fruit growing on a tree.

A fruit salad of examples

Let’s explore some of the amazing and delicious foods that grow on trees:

Mangoes, bananas, and avocados: delicious fruits packed with vitamins and energy.

Coconuts: provide refreshing water, rich milk, and oil used in cooking.

Cashews, almonds, and walnuts: crunchy, protein-rich nuts that come from tree seeds.

Cacao: the tree that gives us the magic ingredient for chocolate!

Cinnamon: by the way, did you know this sweet spice is made from the bark of a tree?

Coffee and tea: both come from tree or shrub plants that millions of people rely on every day.

These foods don’t just taste good; they also help fight hunger and malnutrition around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), trees and forests provide food for more than one billion people globally.

More than food: trees support life

Trees do so much more than give us food. First of all, they are beautiful to look at! At the same time, trees also play a very practical and technical role. They protect the soil, keep the air clean, and help regulate the climate. Without trees, many crops would struggle to grow. Their roots hold the soil in place, preventing erosion. Their shade keeps the ground cool and moist. And when trees flower, they attract bees and other pollinators, such as small creatures that make food production possible.

Forests are also home to many wild fruits, mushrooms, and honey, the kind of foods that have sustained communities for thousands of years. In many parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, people depend on forest foods during dry seasons or difficult times. Trees, in this way, are a natural food bank.

Ripe, delicious apples, growing on a tree.

Planting for the future

Sadly, many trees are disappearing because of deforestation and climate change. When forests are destroyed, people lose not only nature’s beauty but also important food sources. That’s why we, at the Global Tree Initiative, are working to plant and protect trees, for all living beings and for our planet.

When we plant a tree, we are planting the future’s food supply. A single fruit tree can feed families for many future generations!

What can we do?

Well, we can #PlantGrowSave!

Plant our trees,
Grow our forests,
Save our future generations!

So, let’s take a moment to thank the trees around us. If we can, plant a fruit tree in our community, our garden, or even in a pot on our balconies. And, remember to tell us about it! Or, support local farmers who grow food sustainably. And most importantly, share the message: trees feed us all!

Let’s celebrate World Food Day by remembering that every apple, almond, or avocado began as a small seed, and that seed’s home was a tree.

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Do you need some inspiration for healthy food recipes? Have a look at our partner, Francisca Gusmao’s page, Kind Dish: Instagram and Facebook.

You will find many delicious and inspiring plant-based recipes, as well as useful information regarding cooking and consuming.

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References:
https://www.fao.org/forestry/food-security/en/
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/en

Image source:
https://www.pexels.com