Why Do We Need Sustainable Food Systems?

Image credit:Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations

Why do we need sustainable food systems?

This is a short summary of the World Food Day 2013 - Issues Paper (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) on 16 Oct 2013.
We can find some of the answers to the above question.

One out of every four children in the world under the age of five is stunted. This means 165 million children who are so malnourished they will never reach their full physical and cognitive potential.

About 2 billion people in the world lack vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health.

Some 1.4 billion people are overweight. Of these, about one-third are obese and at risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes or other health problems.

A food system is made up of the environment, people, institutions and processes by which agricultural products are produced, processed and brought to consumers. Every aspect of the food system has an effect on the final availability and accessibility of diverse, nutritious food and therefore - on consumers' ability to choose healthy diets.

Agriculture is a dominant force behind many behind many environmental threats, climate change, land scarcity and degradation, fresh water scarcity, biodiversity loss, degradation of forest and fishery resources and contamination from agricultural chemicals.

By definition, sustainable food systems produce nutritious diets for all people today while also protecting the capacity of future generations to feed themselves.

Modern supply chains integrate storage, distribution and retailing - and offer efficiency gains that can lead to lower prices to consumers and higher income to farmers.

Processing and packaging of nutrient dense but highly perishable foods such as milk, vegetables and fruits can make a variety of nutritious foods more available and affordable to consumers year round.On the other hand, highly processed, energy-dense foods may contribute to overweight and obesity when consumed in excess.

Three key messages: 

1. Good nutrition depends on healthy diets.
2. Healthy diets require healthy food systems along with education, health, sanitation and other factors. 
3. Healthy food systems are made possible by appropriate policies,incentives and governance.