New research reveals that over half of preschool-age children and two-thirds of non-pregnant women suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, also known as “hidden hunger.” Now more than ever, nutritious food needs to be made more available, affordable, and desirable. Our actions are our future, and that is especially true as we work to create a world where everyone is well nourished, resilient, and no one is left behind. World Food Day is an opportunity to recognize the partnerships among local and global leaders that advance food security and ensure healthy diets for all. With a focus on food systems, USAID Advancing Nutrition continues to work to sustain improved diet quality and reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

This World Food Day, learn more about our work to achieve healthy diets through improved food systems:

• Our short animated video highlights the role of food fortification in addressing malnutrition and USAID’s commitment to large-scale food fortification efforts. Learn more about USAID’s work around the world to boost nutrition in food systems, health systems, and humanitarian assistance.
• USAID Advancing Nutrition is developing guidance to strengthen marketing approaches for improving consumer demand for nutrient-rich foods and identifying measures to help implementers understand program impacts on consumer demand for healthy diets.
• We are supporting learning, evidence, and measurement of diet quality for a range of population groups including women, children, and families.
• Our recently published brief helps program planners design and implement food processing activities for improved diets and nutrition.
• In Tanzania, we worked closely with the Prime Minister's Office and the broader nutrition community to develop the National Multisectoral Nutrition Action Plan II which works through five systems, including the food system, to improve nutrition.
• Follow us on social media:
  • Follow @NutritionForDev on Twitter for featured work from our Food Systems Team.
  • Follow our LinkedIn page for more food systems and nutrition content.