Global and Local Food and Nutrition Security
In this thematic area, we develop climate-smart strategies that enhance the production and consumption of nutrient-rich foods while ensuring long-term food security. Our approach goes beyond maximizing yields—focusing instead on integrated systems that link livestock, crops, and agroforestry, and emphasize nutritional quality within local contexts.
Key activities include:
• Linking farms to schools for reliable markets and nutritious meals.
• Developing local climate adaptation strategies to secure food supplies.
• Innovating in food processing, packaging, and quality monitoring.
This work challenges both researchers and communities to reimagine food systems for improved health and resilience.
The focus of this thematic area is ensuring equitable access to nutritious, safe foods by tackling key barriers across the food supply chain. We assess and address challenges—from improving pre-production knowledge and technology, to optimizing production practices for sustainability, and streamlining distribution for efficiency and safety.
Key questions we explore include:
• How can we enhance breeding and input quality?
• What defines a sustainable, resilient production system?
• How do we reduce postharvest waste and ensure food reaches those in need?
Recent studies highlight the importance of these efforts in shaping robust food systems.
This thematic area examines how food systems influence human welfare—from nutritional health to economic stability and social equity. We explore:
• The tradeoffs and synergies between food production, diets, and livelihoods
• Gender dynamics in the production, preparation, and consumption of nutrient-rich foods
• Nutrition and health impacts linked to shifts in food production and consumption
While agricultural advances in the 20th century broadened food access, challenges persist. In affluent nations, lower calorie costs have contributed to rising obesity and diabetes, whereas in developing regions, persistent poverty and undernutrition highlight the need for inclusive commercial value chains.
Our goals are to understand these complex interrelations and to evaluate interventions that can boost both income and health outcomes.
In this thematic area, we examine the environmental impacts of our food systems—from the farm to the factory—and develop strategies to minimize harm while enhancing sustainability. Our work focuses on creating biodiverse, nutrient- and water-efficient production systems and exploring circular approaches that reduce waste throughout the food chain.
Key questions we explore include:
• Which cost-effective indicators and models best assess environmental impacts?
• How can we balance food production with environmental, health, and economic outcomes?
• What innovative routes to circularity can reduce waste and resource use?
Our Cross-Cutting Approaches provide the essential framework that enhances every facet of our work. By integrating strategies such as Metrics and Tools, Workforce and Capacity Development, Adaptation to Emerging Issues, Enabling Environment, and Community Engagement, we create cohesive solutions that bridge gaps across thematic areas. These approaches ensure our efforts remain adaptive, inclusive, and impactful—driving sustainable change and inspiring innovation.
