By Linny Folau

Fresh local produce was displayed today at Queen Salote Memorial Hall marking the 41^st World Food Day, under a theme ‘Our actions are our future, better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life'.

Local meals, beverages made from local ingredients, seafood and fish were also on show raising awareness to support a resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for Tonga.

The Minister of Education and Training Hon. Hu’avakameiliku delivered the World Food Day message from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General, Mr Qu Dongyu, who thanked the world's “food heroes”. He said that this World Food Day finds us at a critical moment as the COVID-19 pandemic remains a global challenge causing untold losses and hardship.

“Yet in the past year we have also witnessed the resilience and power within all of us. We our grateful to all of our food heroes who have kept production up and market shelves stocked. We at FAO are also prepared and positioned ourselves to better support members in dealing with stocks and challenges,” the Director General stated.

Organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests the annual event was a joint awareness that engaged government ministries, businesses, NGOs, farmers, private sectors and members of the public.