Climate Change Mitigation Commitment from Our Food Systems
Amidst the rising urgency of climate mitigation, strategies remain heavily dominated by the energy, forestry, and transport sectors as the primary sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, food systems—which account for more than a quarter of Indonesia's emissions—remain on the periphery of climate policy. This critical gap was the focus of the 6th Bincang Pangan Sehat Lestari (BPSL) series held on 11 December 2025. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from both government and NGOs to bridge this divide.
PILOTING AIR-FRIED SNACKS TO REDUCE UNHEALTHY FOOD CONSUMPTION IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- 02/04/2026
In Indonesia, over 98% of households have food budgets sufficient to purchase a healthy diet, yet most allocate a substantial share of their spending to discretionary foods such as fried snacks and sugary drinks. The challenge is therefore not one of financial access to healthy food, but of how existing food budgets are allocated. This paper documents a proof-of-concept pilot in Jakarta that tested whether Indonesia's ubiquitous deep-fried street snacks, gorengan, could be transformed into healthier air-fried alternatives, examining both consumer acceptance and business model viability.
Building Nutrition-Sensitive Social Protection in Indonesia: How Partnerships Turned Evidence to Action
Indonesia has made impressive strides in improving nutrition since 2013, with reduction in stunting, undernourishment, and wasting, reflecting strong commitment from the government, development partners, and civil society. Yet progress remains uneven. Anaemia among pregnant women has declined far more slowly, leaving Indonesia nearly 17 percentage points short of the global target. Data from the recent Micronutrient Gap Analysis (MGA) conducted by GAIN reveal that while wealthier households achieve adequate micronutrient intake, the poorest quintile still falls below recommended levels for nearly all essential nutrients. This means millions of Indonesians—especially women and children—are still not receiving the nutrients they need to thrive.
Nutritious Fruit Bars Initiative: A scalable business model for affordable nutrition, reduced food waste, and job creation in Pakistan
- 30/03/2026
Pakistan produces a wide variety of fruits, yet a significant share is lost due to limited processing capacity, weak value chains, and low value addition. At the same time, many consumers especially children and low-income households lack access to affordable, nutritious snack options. To respond to this challenge, the Nutritious Fruit Bars Initiative was launched in 2024 through a partnership between GAIN, Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI), Pakistan Business Council (PBC), local SMEs, and public-sector stakeholders. The project aimed to convert surplus fruits into nutritious, protein-enriched fruit bars, strengthen local food processors, and demonstrate a sustainable business case that improves nutrition while creating economic opportunities across the value chain.
Two Years of Saving Fruits from Loss to Nourish Pakistan The Himalayan Foods
- 30/03/2026
The Himalayan Foods is a private venture founded by young agriculture graduates from the heart of the Himalayan mountain region. They are driven by a vision to showcase the natural richness of Northern Pakistan through premium, nutritious food products. Rooted in Skardu’s unique agricultural landscape, the company combines traditional knowledge with modern food processing practices to create high-quality, healthy products for an increasingly nutrition-conscious consumer market. Committed to meeting the growing demand for nutritious snacks, The Himalayan Foods produces a range of value-added products including nut-based snack bars under the Himalayan Nut Bar line and organic granola blends marketed as Himalayan Delight. These products are developed using natural and organic ingredients, emphasizing health, wellness, and minimal processing while maintaining international food safety and quality standards. Through its integrated approach linking farmers, sustainable production, and nutrition-focused innovation; The Himalayan Foods represents a new generation of Pakistani SMEs demonstrating how local enterprises can drive economic growth, environmental stewardship, and improved nutrition outcomes simultaneously.
One Nutrition Toolkit
- 30/03/2026
The ONE Nutrition Toolkit brings together practical guidance and training materials to support a systems-based approach to nutrition. It helps practitioners link food systems, human health, and environmental sustainability to drive better diets and stronger communities. It includes a Facilitator’s Guide and Slide Deck designed to support training, learning, and real-world application of the ONE Nutrition approach across diverse contexts.
From Policy to Practice: State Innovations in THR Delivery under POSHAN 2.0
- Global
The Take-Home Ration (THR) initiative is a cornerstone of India’s POSHAN 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi programs. Designed to support children under three and pregnant or lactating mothers (PWLMs), THR delivery systems have undergone significant evolution. With the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2023 updates, there is now a legal mandate for enhanced micro- and macronutrient standards across all distributions.
Nutritional Value Score Rates Foods Based on Nutrient Density and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention
- 26/03/2026
Nutrient deficiencies and related undernutrition (including stunting, wasting, and anemia) are widespread in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with as many as 9 in 10 females being deficient in ≥1 micronutrient and 1 in 2 females experiencing anemia in several countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.