The best reads of 2019 from GAIN staff
At GAIN we strive for sustained impact. Our aim is to improve the consumption of nutritious and safe food for all, especially the most vulnerable. We work hard to make sure our programming, policy and knowledge work form a virtuous circle that generates that impact. Hence, we take knowledge seriously: as producers, but also as consumers. Here is our end-of-year list for the articles, books, blogs, videos and reports that have influenced our thinking this year.
GAIN Discussion Paper Series 2 - Policies and financing to spur appropriate private-sector engagement in food systems
- 27/11/2019
There is increasing evidence that improved agrobiodiversity (that is, the diversity of crop and livestock genetic resources – domesticated or wild – which contributes to agriculture and food production) can enhance human nutrition through several pathways.
Making Markets Work to improve the consumption of nutritious and safe food
- 14/11/2019
Making Markets Work (MMW) is a joint programme between GAIN and six leading development agencies which aims to catalyse the power of markets and the private sector to make nutritious and safe foods more available, affordable and desirable. The programme charts new models, approaches and concepts to guide governments, investors and business to equip and shape markets to tackle malnutrition.
GAIN Convening Paper Series 5 - Disruptive technology innovation for nutrition
- 12/11/2019
Malnutrition is a major problem across many parts of the world, leading to poorer outcomes in infants and children and health problems throughout life, which reduce economic growth and quality of life. Many of the causes of malnutrition have to do with diets, and diets are shaped by the food system.
What does food system transformation mean?
I go to many meetings where the term "food system transformation" is bandied about. Sometimes the term goes unquestioned - for some people it has entered into the rarefied atmosphere of development jargon. But increasingly (thank goodness) the question is being asked: what does food system transformation mean? So what is the answer?
GAIN Discussion Paper Series 1 - Blended finance: A promising approach to unleash private investments in nutritious food value chains in frontier markets
- 29/10/2019
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are central to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) food systems and have the potential to increase local accessibility (availability and affordability) of nutritious and safe foods.
Doubling down on food fortification to fortify the future
Pellagra. Beriberi. You likely haven’t heard of these debilitating diseases: they were virtually eradicated more than 70 years ago by adding essential vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed staple foods and condiments. One of the most common forms of fortification, salt iodisation, is now practiced in more than 160 countries and is credited with preventing 750 million cases of goitre over the past 25 years.
CGF and GAIN announce new Alliance to roll out improved nutrition in the workplace
The Consumer Goods Forum, which brings together 400 consumer goods companies and retailers, has joined forces with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) to encourage employers to take action on improving the nutritional outcomes for their workers and employees.
GAIN Convening Paper Series 4 - Nourish our world (NOW). Creating demand for nutritious diets
- 24/10/2019
NOURISH OUR WORLD (NOW) seeks to put the power of demand creation at the core of improving the quality of diets in developing countries, especially among low-income consumers. This is because a good quality diet is central to tackling all forms of malnutrition.