For the world, yesterday was the annual celebration of World Food Day, a moment to reflect on the critical work being done to provide nutritious food for those without it and to give thanks for the food that many people have access to. In the State Department, for a small office of 10, every day is World Food Day.

The programs taught mothers, fathers and others in the family with child-rearing responsibilities the importance of good nutrition, and how to better care for their children. USAID partners mentored families to ensure more frequent health clinic visits, helped them access healthy food through temporary food transfers, and provided cooking demonstrations to expand use of locally available nutritious foods.

Initiated by the U.S. Chief of Protocol Capricia Penavic Marshall and blessed by her boss, (then) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership was created to “elevate the role of culinary engagement in America’s formal and public diplomacy efforts,” as their mission statement says.