The theme of the 2013 poster contest is

'Healthy Food Systems'

What is a food system?

Food systems are how we grow, process, package, transport, store, market, purchase and eat our food.

If we are not careful, our food systems can be harmful to the environment. Food systems use a lot of water, create harmful greenhouse gases, and ultimately affect every plant and animal on the planet.

The total population on Earth is expected to hit 9 billion by 2050. To feed everyone, food production will have to increase dramatically.

We believe that it is possible to do this without harming the environment, and in a way that gives poor farmers a fair return for their efforts.  But food systems will have to change for the better. We will need new methods and technologies in all parts of the food system. Food shoppers will need to learn more about how their habits and choices affect farmers, and the environment.

Each of us has the power to help change our food systems. By eating nutritious food and reducing the amount of waste we create, we can help make our food systems more sustainable.

Food systems connect us all.  Let’s be part of a worldwide change that leads to a healthy future – for ourselves and for our planet.

About the contest:

• The poster contest is co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Women’s Guild in Rome, Italy. 
• Entries are accepted until 30 September 2013.

Eligibility:

• The contest is open to children and youth between the ages of 5 and 17, living in any country of the world.
• Winners will be selected in three categories: ages 5 to 8, ages 9 to 12 and ages 13 to 17. 
• Only one entry per person. Submitting multiple entries under the same artist’s name will result in disqualification. 
• Multiple designs may be submitted using the same contact email address, but the artist’s name should not be duplicated. This means that teachers or parents can upload multiple files using the same email, but only one file per child is allowed.
• Poster entries may be drawn, painted or sketched using pens, pencils, crayons or charcoal, or using oil, acrylic or watercolor paint. Digitally created artwork is also permitted.
• Poster entries may or may not include text. If text is used, any language is permitted.
• All artworks must be original and should not include photographic images of the contestant or other personal information. 

Entering the contest:

• All participants are encouraged to watch the short contest video, and read about the World Food Day theme. Younger children may want to learn together with a parent or teacher. 
• Complete all fields in the contest entry form, upload your poster design, and click SUBMIT. Younger children may need help from an adult in making their online submission. 
• Working on an A4 sheet is recommended, to make it easier for you to scan and upload your poster design. If your poster is larger, you may have to take a digital photo of the work and upload the photo file. 
• Only digital files in JPG can be accepted and submissions must be made online – please do not send in physical posters. 

Contest prizes:

• Three winning poster designs will be selected in each category.
• The winners will be announced on 16 October 2013 – World Food Day.
• The top three poster designs in all three categories will be published on World Food Day website, and shared through the Facebook accounts of FAO and the EndingHunger movement.  
• Certificates of Recognition, signed by a United Nations official, will be sent to all the winners. First-place winners in each category will receive the popular EndingHunger T-shirt and a second surprise gift!

Copyright, privacy and other conditions:

• FAO retains the copyright on all artwork submitted. 
• When winning posters are published, only the first initial, full family name and country of origin will be published. No other personal information about the contestants will be published or shared.

"Healthy Food Systems"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this year’s World Food Day poster design contest. (TIP for teachers:  very useful for classroom discussion.)

(NOTE:  younger readers may need help from parents or teachers.)

Q. What are food systems? 

Any process that involves the production and consumption of food is a part of a food system. This includes planting, harvesting, processing, packaging, transport, marketing, purchasing, storing and eating. Jobs, money, electricity and nutrition are also parts of the system.

To find out more, please visit the World Food Day homepage where basic information is already available. More will be added in the weeks to come. 

Q. Why are we focusing on sustainable food systems?

Total world population is expected to hit 9 billion by 2050. To make sure everyone has enough to eat, we will need to rethink our food systems. We want to reduce the impact of food systems on the natural environment, because food production today produces a lot of greenhouse gases, puts a strain on water supplies, and creates a threat to biodiversity.  We need to understand better how food shopping choices affect poor farmers in other parts of the world. And we will need to learn how to waste less food – in transport, in storage, in supermarkets, and at home.

Q. How many people are going hungry?

Latest FAO estimates show that about 870 million people worldwide live in a state of daily hunger. The good news is that many people and organizations and governments are now energized by the goal of ending hunger in our lifetime.

You can join the EndingHunger movement, too.

More resources:

Now that you’ve read the rules, watched the video and learned about cooperatives, it’s time to work on your poster.

• Think about how to illustrate the theme, "Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition".
• Design, draw or paint your poster.
• Use a photocopier to scan your finished poster, or take a digital photo of the poster. Ask an adult for help if you need to. NOTE: if you submit a digital photo, make sure it is in JPG format. Maximum allowable file size is 1.5 MB.
• Please do NOT send your poster as an email attachment.
  
• Enter your details in the fields provided. (For children below 12 this field needs to be filled in by an adult and the disclaimer box needs to be ticked on the child’s behalf).