Foro Global sobre Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (Foro FSN)

Comments and inputs from WFP on the issues paper for the HLPE Report on Nutrition and Food Systems.

1. The nutrition dimension seems very much linked to the consumers - the end users of the food produced. This is important, but it might be relevant to also reflect on the linkage between the farmers (who consume their own production) and nutrition - or in other words the linkage between agriculture/production and nutrition. In particular, the report could introduce production environment challenges and food systems, unless it is addressed in other HLPE studies.
2. Perhaps, it would also be good to include a more concrete question on how to operationalise policies linked to nutrition. This could include for example institutional procurement of nutritious products, public investment in infrastructure to improve production and marketing of nutritious food, etc.
3. When the report talks about stakeholders, “farmers” as the main producers of food should be included alongside governments, private sector and civil society.

1. The Issues Note writes that "The overarching issue in this report shall be to assess the influence of various types of food systems on diets, nutrition and health." We assume this type of assessment will be more informal than formal? To our knowledge formal assessment methods for assessing food systems are still very much in the ‘development stage’.  For example see the related work of CIMSANS; available at: http://www.ilsi.org/ResearchFoundation/CIMSANS/Documents/SNS-Metrics-Workshop-Background.pdf

Considering that the overarching issue of this HLPE report will be to "assess the various types of food systems on diets, nutrition, and health"  - the text could probably be clearer by acknowledging that assessment methods and metrics are still very much being explored and developed. We would suggest that a sentence be added/inserted just before "It shall consider...". That inserted sentence could read:

"Given that formal methods and metrics for assessing food systems are still non-existent or in the very early stages of development; the HLPE assessment work is likely to be more qualitative in nature and grounded in literature reviews and expert opinions." 

Lastly please add a comment here noting that WFP's food security analysis service (the Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping/VAM unit) is keen to collaborate and/or support HLPE members on matters pertaining to food systems analysis; and the development of methods, metrics, and the underlying data and information systems that are needed to support such analysis. 

1. The issues note talks about provision of a conceptual framework (second page, second paragraph). The development of a new food systems conceptual framework could be useful and is probably needed.  No doubt existing food security and nutrition conceptual frameworks contain much of what is needed but not everything.  One of the key aspects of a ‘food systems conceptual framework’ should be incorporating the notion of a ‘resilient and sustainable food system’ (as also reflected in SDG target 2.4).  This is where the greatest challenges are likely to be. Regarding conceptual and analytical frameworks for resilience; the work that has been developed and published by the FSIN TWG on Resilience Measurement (done within a food security context) should be both valuable for this HLPE on food systems. Please see this link for more information: http://www.fsincop.net/topics/resilience-measurement/outupts/en
2. With respect to the questions posed on the second page, WFP VAM routinely collects and analyses a wealth of data and indicators related to these topics/questions listed here.  Examples of relevant WFP indicators in this context are the Household level Food Consumption Score (FCS) indicator and the Coping Strategies Index (CSI or rCSI/reduced Coping Strategies Index). Please see http://vam.wfp.org/ for more information amongst others. As noted in an earlier comment WFP VAM is keen to collaborate and/or support the work of the HLPE if needed/appropriate

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Best,

Jan

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Jan van der Velde

Policy and Programme Officer

Policy and Programme Division (OSZ)

World Food Programme

Via Cesare Giulio Viola 68/70, 00148 Rome, Italy