FAO welcomes global recognition of fruits, vegetables, tea and food loss and waste

• UN General Assembly establishes new international year and days devoted to food and agriculture
•  2021 designated International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
• 21 May selected International Tea Day 
• 29 September as International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has welcomed the recent decision by the United Nations to create two new international days and one international year devoted to issues directly related to food and agriculture.

The UN General Assembly adopted resolutions designating 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, 21 May as International Tea Day and 29 September as International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, following requests made by the FAO Conference.

"Without healthy diets, we cannot hope to end malnutrition - and we will not eradicate hunger unless we curb food losses. By highlighting the value of fruits and vegetables, and the damage caused by loss and waste, the UN has taken a decisive step to promote fairer, greener, more efficient food systems," said FAO Deputy Director-General for Climate and Natural Resources Maria Helena Semedo. 

"Honouring tea is a fitting tribute to the legions of smallholder farmers who help produce what is the world's favourite drink, after water itself."

Other resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly focused on progress and challenges related to agriculture, food security and nutrition; sustainable mountain development; the role of agricultural technology; the importance of natural plant fibres for livelihoods and the environment and the need to eradicate rural poverty.

Fruit and vegetables

Chile has been a champion of devoting a year to promote fruit and vegetables, which have well-known nutritional qualities and also contribute to the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

FAO and the World Health Organization recommend that each adult consumes at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis to prevent chronic NCDs, including heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity, as well as to counter micronutrient deficiencies.

Advocacy for fresh produce also fits well with the aim of strengthening the role of smallholder and family farmers, and fosters broader market options for millions of rural families. Gender equity opportunities are also noteworthy, as women often play leading roles for their households in both the production and consumption of fruit and 

vegetables.

Tea

The proposal to make 21 May International Tea Day was led by China following the 23rd Session of the Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea, held in Hangzhou in May 2018.

The observance is meant to acknowledge and promote the herb's contribution to human health, socialisation, cultural heritage, rural development and sustainable livelihoods. Tea is a major cash crop for millions of families in developing countries and as a labor-intensive sector, including processing, the industry provides jobs in remote and economically disadvantaged areas.

The tea sector contributes to cardinal Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, notably reducing poverty and eradicating hunger by creating jobs, generating incomes and improving the livelihoods of the communities engaged in production activities. 

Food loss and waste

Andorra and San Marino played a key role in proposing the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (FLW). The day offers an opportunity to sharpen focus on the need to reduce FLW and how doing so can contribute to sustainable development.

As explored in depth in FAO's 2019 State of Food and Agriculture, food loss and waste entails significant emissions that exacerbate the challenge of climate change as well as impact on food security. An estimated 14% of the world's food is lost along the chain from the point of harvest to the retail level, and likely even more is wasted later.