Three weeks ago I had the honor to sit among some of the most creative, inspiring and influential individuals as a part of our Future Fortified salon to talk about one issue that continues to plague the world – malnutrition, or “hidden” hunger as it is often referred to. 

This is one of those issues about which some people will inevitably throw up their hands, proclaim it is too big and that nothing can be done, and walk away. I am sure for those who have been working on nutrition for the past several decades, this is precisely what the world seems to have done.

At least up until now.

What was so moving about that gathering three weeks ago was that people – creative types, business leaders, policy makers, media influencers – were coming to the issue, many for the first time, asking questions, digging deeper, and finding opportunities. 

As today is World Food Day, it feels appropriate to remind ourselves that food and nutrition are a basic human right that we all share. And in turn, there is a role for each of us to play in improving nutrition from the personal to the local to the global level.

So what are we waiting for?  Nutrition is such a personal issue – nutrition matters every day for every one of us. Are we waiting for a celebrity spokesperson? It would be nice. Are we waiting for more corporate partners? Perhaps.

But perhaps more than anything, nutrition needs each of us - a community to coalesce around it.

That’s what I witnessed at our Food for Thought salon – the power of individuals talking to one another, sharing ideas, finding answers to hard questions and seeking change.

This World Food Day, it is time we make nutrition a priority. It is time we embrace the role that we all can play in improving nutrition in our communities and around the world. It is time we turn up the volume on all these conversations we are having, and go have some more. It is time we build a community for better nutrition around the world.

Now more than ever is the time to act. This can shape our collective future. Please join us in putting nutrition on the table this World Food Day, and every day. Join us at www.FutureFortified.org.  

Adrianna Logalbo is Director of Future Fortified, and is building the campaign from the ground up, under the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.