WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2021 - At the United Nations Food Systems Summit this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture outlined $5 billion in planned investments and a number of steps toward the goal of ending hunger and malnutrition and creating more sustainable, resilient. And comprehensive food arrangements.
Food systems are central to global progress in promoting health, preventing and combating disease, strengthening education, promoting the empowerment of women and girls, and generating and sustaining economic growth.
"We can achieve these goals," said USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. "But we can only accomplish them together as one global community united and unified by a common mission. The United Nations' summit provides the best platform for nations to discuss the major challenges facing humanity today and what we can do together to ensure all people have access to a secure, adequate and nutritious diet."
The USDA outlined seven key pillars to achieve a more comprehensive food system.
"The first pillar calls on governments to use every tool available to us: to work with farmers, agricultural producers, and food companies to ensure good health and a productive food system. This pillar also seeks to ensure access to affordable, sustainable, nutritious food for all people and calls for policies that enable farmers to improve nutrition in their soil, produce more nutritious crops, and work sustainably in ways that protect and improve their and other people's health and well-being."
The second pillar calls on countries to address the challenges that are leading to increased rates of hunger and malnutrition among children and women. This pillar includes investments in public education and nutrition; programs to tackle stunting, anemia, and micronutrient deficiencies; and improvements to food access for women, children, and those who are more vulnerable.
The third pillar calls for improvements in food security and availability and the impact of these investments on poverty reduction, nutrition, health, and economic growth.
The fourth pillar calls on countries to strengthen the health and nutrition systems that support and drive this global movement for food security, health, and well-being. This pillar includes efforts to strengthen and invest in primary health care, nutrition, health promotion, disease prevention, and public health.
The fifth pillar calls on the private sector, the public sector, and civil society to invest in and champion more sound business and public policies, such as laws and regulations that support the principles and promote the interests of all.
The sixth pillar is about making a difference on the ground, and involves investments in programs and activities that build the capacity and impact of all actors to work toward a future of food and nutrition security for all.
The seventh pillar calls on countries to strengthen and engage with other countries through cooperation and partnerships to ensure food security and good nutrition for all.
The eight pillar includes efforts to ensure that everyone has access to healthy, safe, affordable food that meets their nutritional requirements, in food and nutrition security, and calls on governments, and multilateral and bilateral organizations and financial institutions, to provide the enabling environment for the transition to a more food secure and healthier world.
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