Schoolchildren learn about forests and food security for the International Day of Forests
Rome – Around 250 schoolchildren from eight schools joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Director-General QU Dongyu and Italian officials today to celebrate the International Day of Forests at the Global Library of Trees and Flowers – FAO Park in Rome’s Villa Pamphilj.
The children, aged eight to 15, followed an educational itinerary around the park to discover how to identify forest foods and understand their nutritional benefits in daily life, in line with the ‘Forest and foods’ theme of this year’s International Day.
Environmental expert Pietro Mattei and FAO forestry officers guided the students, giving them the opportunity to touch, feel and smell the different forest foods from around the world, with stations around the park representing different geographical regions.
The aim of the itinerary was to help students make connections between forests and food security and nutrition.
“I really enjoyed seeing all of the plants,” said nine-year-old Filippo. “Taking care of trees is very important because they provide homes for people and oxygen for all living beings.”
“I especially liked the cedars, because they are so lush,” said nine-year-old Elena. “I like to immerse myself in nature and see all of the things that you cannot find indoors.”
The students were especially taken with pastry chef and world gelato champion Eugenio Morrone, who took to the stage to showcase how to make ice cream with forest foods, including pistachio and raspberry.
“We must explain to our children that we are what we eat,” said Chef Morrone. “We can help children understand what good food is and help safeguard our forests.”
“The children are very happy,” said elementary school teacher Maria Teresa. “We always talk to the children about the environment, about the 2030 [Sustainable Development] Goals – they’re happy because they’re spending time together and they’re in touch with nature.”
The opening ceremony at the FAO Park also marked the first major event on forestry in FAO’s 80th Anniversary celebrations, which are under way this year.
‘Forests and foods’ theme
The theme of this year’s International Day of Forests aims to bring attention to the importance of forests and trees in global food security, nutrition and livelihoods. More than five billion people around the world use forest and non-timber forest products for food, medicine and livelihoods.
At the same time, forests are crucial for agriculture, supporting farming by providing homes for pollinators, helping keep the soil healthy, retaining water, offering food and shade for livestock, regulating temperatures, and acting as natural barriers against the wind for crops.
Case studies from many countries were also presented for the International Day during a hybrid technical event in Rome entitled ‘Forests and foods - celebrating the role of forests in food systems’, which showcased forest-based foods and explored how they contribute to food security, nutrition and livelihoods.