Towards Zero Hunger: A pivotal moment to address hunger and food insecurity this World Food Day 

Hunger and food insecurity are escalating due to climate change, and we are at a pivotal moment. To address the global hunger crisis, investing in food security is not enough. We need to have a wider variety of nutritious foods accessible in our fields, markets and on our tables, for the benefit of everyone.

A food system without nutrition is like air without oxygen.

Food systems determine what foods are produced, how they are distributed and how accessible they are. It is not just about producing enough food, it is about producing enough nutritious foods to prevent problems such as stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies, which can adversely affect cognitive development. A diverse food system can provide a variety of nutritious foods, while a limited system can lead to deficiencies. To tackle malnutrition in all its forms, food systems need to provide access to responsibly produced nutritious, safe, varied products at fair prices. 

There are various forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity. Poor dietary choices and/or options are their primary cause and each form affects nearly every country and socio-economic group. 

Although farmers globally produce sufficient food to feed the entire population, hunger remains a significant issue. This is due to many factors including distribution inequities, where food is produced in regions different from where it is consumed, poor infrastructure and a lack of transportation. This can lead to food being unavailable in certain areas, especially low-income countries.

More than 2.8 billion people worldwide cannot afford a nutritious diet. Even when food is available, many people cannot afford it due to poverty and economic disparities which prevents access to nutritious foods. In low-income and lower-middle-income countries, the number of people without access to healthy diets grew between 2019 and 2022. 

Impact of gender inequality

Approximately 733 million people are experiencing hunger due to recurring climate shocks, conflicts, economic crises, inequality and the lingering effects of the pandemic. This disproportionately impacts those who are structurally marginalized, particularly women and girls. Women and girls are twice as likely to experience malnutrition compared to men and boys, primarily due to a mix of biological, social and cultural factors. Gender inequality is both a cause and a consequence of malnutrition, influencing who eats last and receives the least, who has access to health and nutrition services, and who controls food production and consumption. This makes it a significant challenge in global health.

It is time to act 

As we mark World Food Day and approach the Nutrition For Growth Summit, let’s commit to building a future where everyone has access to food for an improved quality of life and a brighter future. Tackling nutrition security requires a comprehensive, gendered approach so that everyone has access to adequate, safe and nutritious food. 

We need to implement diverse strategies such as: 

• Improving food access: Increase access to nutritious foods and support local food systems and initiatives that make healthy foods more available, especially for those who are structurally marginalized, such as women and girls 
• Education and awareness: Promote nutrition education to help individuals make informed food choices. This can include cooking classes, the gendered elements of nutrition, workshops on reading food labels, and information on balanced diets.
• Policy and advocacy: Advocate for policies that support food and nutrition security, such as improved wages, social safety nets and support for food assistance programs. 
• Collaboration: Foster partnerships between government agencies, non-profits and private sectors to create comprehensive strategies that address both food availability, nutrition, and education.
• Sustainability: Promote sustainable agricultural practices that improve food production without harming the environment, ensuring long-term availability of nutritious food.
• Research and Data Collection: Support research to identify nutrition needs within communities and assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving nutrition security.

By combining these strategies, communities can unite to advance the second Sustainable Development Goal, Zero Hunger, by 2030. 

Lucky Iron Life is a Canadian social enterprise addressing iron deficiency through a simple health innovation, the Lucky Iron Fish. The Lucky Iron Fish is a simple, reusable, cooking tool that fortifies the whole meal with iron. Organizations like CARE, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services and Action Against Hunger have integrated the fish into their global initiatives to combat iron deficiency, especially among women and adolescent girls.