Food for all is possible

By Msgr. John Wynand Katende

Posted on: Sunday 2nd August 2026

"The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs."- Psalm 145

If you are assured of three meals a day, it may be difficult to understand why hunger is a world killer. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that the world produces enough to feed the entire global population of 7 billion people, yet one person in eight goes to bed hungry each night. Inadequate nutrition during early childhood causes permanent, irreversible damage to physical and cognitive development. (WFP).

There are many reasons for the presence of hunger in the world, and they are often interconnected. People living in poverty cannot afford nutritious food for themselves and their families. This makes them weaker and less able to earn the money that would help them escape poverty and hunger.

Pope Benedict XVI consistently addressed FAO, emphasizing that access to food is a fundamental human right. He stressed that hunger stems from human selfishness, market speculation, and economic injustice rather than natural limitations, urging global solidarity and moral governance to eliminate world poverty

Research by FAO shows that investment in agriculture is five times more effective in reducing poverty and hunger than investment in any other sector. Yet many developing countries lack key agricultural policies, infrastructure and irrigation. With the predicament of climate change, the world's fertile farmland is under threat from erosion and desertification. Deforestation by human activity accelerates the erosion of land which could be used for growing food. 

Corrupt leaders, conflicts and wars consistently disrupt farming and food production as millions of people are forced to flee their homes, leading to hunger. The poorest pay the ultimate price. Estimates by organisations like WFP show that expenditure on arms in 2024 was $2.7 trillion, whereas there was a need for $300 billion to eliminate world hunger (Financial Express, July 2020). Other reasons include unstable markets and food prices, coupled with the scandal of food wastage. 

Food is known to be good business. When nations solve the problem of hunger, it fuels their economy. It creates jobs and opportunity. Connecting farmers to markets lifts them out of poverty. United, we can harness the power of partnerships, technology, political will, and individual commitment to end hunger.

Food security engenders peace and stability. When people don't have food, they only have three options. They migrate, revolt, or die. We have the tools to respond with appropriate action in a humanitarian setting. When people are hit by disasters, we must save lives, provide food and work to get them back on their feet.

Deliberate efforts should be made to ensure food in the hands of women, for the immediate benefit of children. Government must provide food in schools to ensure stable attendance and good grades. By keeping girls longer in schools, the government will also be addressing the increasing trend of early marriages.

International ecological scientists and agriculture experts believe that a large-scale shift to organic farming would not only increase the world's food supply. Because organic farming doesn't depend on expensive inputs, it might help shift the balance towards smaller farmers in hungry nations. It calls for synchronizing the land tenure system, planting trees, providing irrigation, and forming cooperatives.

Food for all is possible. Many nations have defeated hunger. It presupposes a pro-people or servant leadership. Jesus is the epitome of such leadership. When He saw the hungry crowds before Him, He mobilized His disciples and the available provisions to address the challenge (Matthew 14:13-21).

Jesus is also concerned about our spiritual nourishment and survival. In the Scripture, He feeds the mind and guides the human conscience. In the sacraments, Jesus imparts divine life and strength for daily living. Catholics believe the consecrated bread and wine truly become Christ’s Body and Blood. Christ can tell us to give the hungry what they need since He has given us all He had.