Every October 16, the world pauses to remember not just how food arrives on our plates, but who grows it, who harvests it, and who still goes without. World Food Day is both an annual observance and a global call to action for building food systems that are equitable, resilient, and sustainable.
In 2025, under the banner “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) marks its 80th anniversary by championing the idea that lasting change demands collaboration across sectors, scales, and communities. From youth art contests to global conversations in Rome, the day’s events all circle back to one urgent question: How can each of us play a part in shaping a future where food is a right, not a privilege?
This World Food Day, HelloFresh is highlighting five powerful ways we’re working toward that better future, from supporting sustainable growers to encouraging volunteerism within our communities.
Addressing Food Insecurity
Every box makes a difference. This September, we reached 10 million meals donated through our Meals with Meaning program.
This September, we were proud to mark a major milestone: 10 million meals donated through our Meals with Meaning program. Every week, HelloFresh delivers 32,000 free, wholesome meal kits to people in need where our company has distribution centers: New York City, Newark, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Phoenix.
From redistributing surplus food and partnering with No Kid Hungry to providing LimeAid grants and volunteer opportunities, we remain committed to building a future where every family has access to the meals they need. Additionally, through our recent Hunger Heroes campaign, we spotlighted the incredible individuals, such as Chef Eitan Bernath and community leader Phil Barks, who are using their platforms and voices to meet hunger with hope.
Empowering the Next Generation Through Food
World Food Day celebrates not only what we eat, but what we learn through food and how it connects us. Through partnerships with programs like the Princeton-Blairstown Center (PBC) and the Food Education Fund, HelloFresh helps empower students from historically marginalized communities to explore cooking as both a creative outlet and a pathway to opportunity.
At the Great PBC–HelloFresh Cook Off, students spent a week building confidence and leadership skills through teamwork and culinary challenges. In the Recipe Remix Challenge, young chefs at the Brooklyn Steam Center used HelloFresh meal kits, without recipe cards, to reimagine dishes entirely on their own. Both programs share the same goal of inspiring a new generation to see food as a source of empowerment, creativity, and connection.
Building a More Sustainable Food System
At HelloFresh, sustainability means thinking holistically about every step of the food journey. Across our U.S. operations, we’ve achieved a 63% reduction in carbon emissions at meal-kit facilities since 2019, and now source 100% renewable electricity. Through smart systems like our Box Fit algorithm, we optimize packaging to reduce waste, and 90% of our packaging is curbside recyclable in most states.
This year, we also expanded our partnership with Rivian, rolling out 70 all-electric vans across 14 markets, saving 20,000 gallons of fuel and cutting emissions by 200 tonnes.
Combined with waste-diversion programs that kept 80% of food waste out of landfills, these efforts reflect our commitment to a cleaner, more efficient supply chain. As a company, we celebrate when our employees—like Paul L.—share that same passion for sustainable food systems.
Through programs like the Great PBC–HelloFresh Cook Off and the Recipe Remix Challenge, we’re proud to help students turn cooking into a source of confidence, creativity, and connection.
Celebrating Global Flavors and Cultural Heritage
HelloFresh believes that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect people, share stories, and honor heritage, and we celebrate cultural diversity year-round. Through initiatives like our AAPI Heritage Month Bundle, developed in collaboration with the Asians Mobilizing for Progress (AMP) Employee Resource Group, we share employees’ favorite dishes and spotlight partner brands like Kolkata Chai Co. and Nguyen Coffee Supply.
Earlier this year, our culinary team also created a special collection of recipes in recognition of Black History Month, highlighting the global influence of Creole, Caribbean, and West African cuisines. Each recipe was carefully researched and taste-tested to honor the history and flavors behind the dishes.
Together, these initiatives reflect a core belief that’s celebrated on World Food Day: every culture contributes something essential to the table, and every meal tells a story worth sharing.
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- Our AAPI Bundle spotlights dishes and brands like Kolkata Chai Co. and Nguyen Coffee Supply.
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- Our Black History Month recipes were inspired by Creole, Caribbean, and West African flavors that celebrate culture and connection.
Volunteering and Giving Back
True change happens when communities come together, something HelloFresh employees embrace every day. Across the country, our teams volunteer at food banks, host local donation drives, and support community events dedicated to feeding families in need. Through partnerships with organizations like Feeding America, City Harvest, and local hunger relief programs, employees roll up their sleeves to pack meal kits, sort produce, and deliver fresh ingredients to neighbors facing food insecurity.
Together, these efforts capture what World Food Day stands for: working hand in hand for better food and a better future.
Every action counts. Help us spread the word this World Food Day by sharing this story and inspiring others to do the same.
This World Food Day, we’re celebrating the power of coming together. Our teams volunteer nationwide to fight hunger and support local families, because every action counts.
