Under the motto 'Providing for Attainable, Safe Food in a Period of Crisis' Macedonia marked Monday the World Food Day. The occasion was honored with a manifestation, organized by the Public Health Institute (PHI) and Cair municipality in Skopje Old Bazaar.

- The event aims to bring the traditional food closer to citizens, as one of the way for joining the global struggle against hunger. The traditional food is rather chipper and safer, PHI Director Azis Polozani said.

Health Minister Bujar Osmani also believes that the traditional food should be a choice in a period of economic crisis.

- The Government has been making efforts to mitigate the effects of the global economic downturn and to that end it has launched an initiative for opening of shops that offer food for lower prices for poor citizens, Osmani said.

The event also offered free medical checkups, tasting of traditional delicacies and an exhibit of household dishes.

The World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity.