Researchers from the University of Edinburgh published “the first study to quantitatively map the flow of energy, protein, fat, essential amino acids and micronutrients from ‘field-to-fork’ at a global level and identify hotspots where nutrients are lost. The study shows that while we produce far more nutrients than is required for the global population, inefficiencies in the supply chain leave many people nutrient deficient.”
Author: Sarah Polaski
Asia’s food systems are under pressure study shows
Asian business leaders overwhelmingly agree that there is cause for alarm around Asia’s food security, according to a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The study, Fixing Asia’s Food Systems, found that population growth, urbanisation and changing food demands are already pressuring Asia’s food systems and will threaten food security if not addressed.
The five-part research program commissioned by Cargill outlines six key megatrends: urbanisation, the double burden of under-nutrition and obesity, technology constraints, the need for transparency and sustainability, and politics.
Pest-proof bags and bins slim Tanzania’s ‘lean season’
Improved storage techniques have shown they can cut the loss of harvested maize by 10 percent in Tanzania, and help one-third fewer households go hungry in the lean season, Swiss researchers said.
Barakah Box food bank helps Hamilton refugees access halal food
Islamic Relief Canada has partnered with Mishka Social Services to support its food bank in Hamilton, Ontario, known as Barakah Box. More than 400 families in Hamilton use this food bank on a monthly basis to access food that is both halal (i.e., procured with Islamic dietary restrictions in mind) and healthy.
Maintaining Food Security, Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister Focuses on Four Targets
Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister recently spoke about four key targets to promote self-sufficiency and food security in the country.
The digital revolution—a new weapon against food waste, hunger, and emissions
The Brookings Institution’s Heinz Strubenhoff writes about how technology can help fight food waste and hunger.
Cuomo: All NY public colleges will have food pantries by end of fall semester
Every State University of New York and City University of New York campus will have a food pantry or similar program by the end of the fall semester, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.
The Very Hot, Very Hungry Caterpillar
Climate change will mean more insects, and less food for humans. A new study attempts to calculate how much of our food crops will be impacted by these changes.
Yemen Food Security Outlook: Weakening of the national currency further impacts food and fuel prices
Large populations in Yemen continue to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of acute food insecurity, according to the latest report from the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net).
Agroecology key to food security in developing countries
Rachel Wynberg, Associate Professor and DST/NRF Bio-economy Research Chair, University of Cape Town and Laura Pereira, Researcher/Lecturer at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition, Stellenbosch University, argue that developing countries should not strive for industrial agriculture. Instead, they should look for a balanced approach like agroecology that preserves the environment while producing crops.
