The UN announces May 30 as the International Day of the Potato

January 31, 2024

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced the UN’s decision to designate May 30 as International Day of Potato, an opportunity to raise awareness of a crop regularly consumed by billions of people and the global importance for food security and nutrition. 

The International Day of the Potato builds upon the International Year of Potato that was observed in 2008, which originated from the need to emphasize the significant role of the potato in tackling prevalent global issues, such as food insecurity, poverty, and environmental threats. 

“This International Day will shed light on the significant value of the potato–nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural. It will also highlight the contribution of the potato to global food security, poverty reduction, and the livelihoods of millions while emphasizing the key role of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and practices,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol. 

Read the official UN Announcement