Reaching Lower-Income Consumers with Nutritious Foods: Bespoke Last-mile Distribution Networks

Final distribution to the consumer is a key challenge in addressing affordability for lower-income consumers, particularly in rural and remote areas or crowded lower-income urban neighbourhoods. One way to address this, particularly in places where there are few existing retail outlets, is through creation of a bespoke last-mile distribution (LMD) network. Creating such a network involves recruiting and training distribution/sales agents; equipping them for the job; and providing them with appropriate pay, incentives, and supervision. The agents can be employees, contactors, or micro-franchisees and can sell on foot, bike, using a pushcart or adapted motorcycle, from their homes, or through stalls.

GAIN Convening Paper 9: Multi-Sectoral Governance - Learning from the Dutch National and International Experience

- 20/06/2024

A symposium on local Dutch and international experiences of multisectoral food security and nutrition initiatives was held at the Micronutrient Forum 6th Global Conference, on 16 October 2023 in The Hague (The Netherlands). Three case studies - one each from Ghana, Ethiopia, and The Netherlands - were presented.

GAIN Working Paper n°41: A Review of the Aggregation Models Used in the Commercialisation of Biofortified Crops Programme

- 20/06/2024

Biofortification (also known as nutrient enrichment) of staple crops, is a cost-effective and sustainable agricultural technology that enhances the quantity, bioavailability and bioaccessibility of micronutrients, with the aim of reducing micronutrient deficiencies. From 2019-2022, GAIN and HarvestPlus coordinated the Commercialisation of Biofortified Crops (CBC) Programme, which sought to scale up the production and consumption of biofortified foods (i.e., wheat, maize, cassava, rice, pearl millet, and beans) through commercial pathways in six countries in Africa and Asia. The programme used a variety of strategic scaling pathways to ensure commercialisation (e.g., increased production and availability of surplus for sale in markets), where aggregation was a key step. The objectives of this paper are to: (1) document the types of aggregation models employed by the CBC programme and their challenges, and (2) make recommendations for improving biofortified crop value chains to better achieve commercialisation. The insights in this paper are based on a desk review of CBC programme documents and semi-structured interviews with programme implementers. 

Committee on World Food Security - CFS 52

21 October 2024- 25 October 2024Rome, Italy, Global

The 52nd Plenary Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS 52) will be held from 21 to 25 October 2024 in Rome, Italy.

World Food Day

16 October 2024Global, Global

The world's farmers produce enough food to feed more than the global population yet, hunger persists. Up to 783 million people face hunger due to conflict, repeated weather shocks and economic downturns. This impacts the poor and vulnerable most severely, many of whom are agricultural households, reflecting widening inequalities across and within countries. 

Summit of the Future

22 September 2024- 23 September 2024New York , Global

The high-level event will bring together UN Member States, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, the private sector, and youth under the theme, ‘Summit of the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’. The Summit aims to forge a new global consensus on what our future should look like, and what we can do today to secure it. 

Nourishing Nigeria: Highlights From the 2021 National Food Consumption And Micronutrient Survey

- 18/06/2024

The NFCMS 2021 provides valuable insights and highlights the need for strategic investments in agriculture, nutrition, and food systems. While progress has been made, there is a clear imperative for improved implementation and expanded coverage of nutrition interventions across diverse population groups.

Stepping Forward: Strengthening policy coherence to improve Kenya’s food systems

All around the world, countries have recognised their food systems need to change, for the health of people and planet. From a national political perspective, this transformative journey hinges on robust government policy frameworks. Government can and must lead in changing the landscape to banish malnutrition and boost healthy diets. The Kenyan government’s ongoing review of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy exemplifies its commitment to doing just that. 

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Statement on Climate Change and Health at WHA77

The two-way relationship between food systems and climate creates opportunities for action contributing to climate mitigation, adaptation, resilience, and human health co-benefits, alongside a range of positive socioeconomic outcomes, making food systems transformation for nutrition and climate a key strategy to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

Filling Indonesia’s Micronutrient Gap: The Potential of Fortified Rice in the Social Protection System

- 31/05/2024

Micronutrient malnutrition remains a significant challenge in Indonesia, particularly among impoverished populations who struggle to afford and access nutrient-rich foods. Iron deficiency anemia is especially concerning, affecting 48.9% of pregnant women and 38.5% of children across the country. To address these gaps, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), conducted a comprehensive Micronutrient Gap Assessment (MGA). This assessment aimed to evaluate micronutrient intake levels among Indonesians and identify the potential benefits of rice fortification in meeting recommended dietary requirements.