Forests provide food, medicine, and livelihoods for billions of people

More than five billion people around the world use forest and non-timber forest products for food, medicine and livelihoods.

Forests and trees are a rich source of nuts, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, leaves, mushrooms, honey, wild meat and insects, providing essential nutrients to people’s dietary intake.

Over 2 billion people rely on wood and other traditional fuels for cooking

Woodfuel has been used since ancient times and is still commonly used by rural households as a source of cooking energy to make food edible.

Forests are crucial for agriculture

Forests support farming by providing homes for pollinators, helping keep the soil healthy, retaining water, offering food and shade for livestock, regulating temperatures, and acting as natural barriers against the wind for crops, as well as enhancing rainfall for agricultural needs.

Wild meat from forests is an essential source of protein and micronutrients

Wild meat is an important protein source for Indigenous Peoples and rural communities particularly in tropical regions.

Over 3,200 species of wild animals are used as food.

Forests serve as food safety nets in times of crisis

Forests support food security and diversify incomes during shocks, such as failed harvests or conflicts, to help ensure the survival of communities when usual food sources are unavailable.

Forests are vital for water, on which ecosystems and our food security and nutrition depend

Forested watersheds provide freshwater to more than 85 percent of the world's major cities and sustainable forest management has the potential to enhance water quality for over 1.7 billion people residing in large urban areas, contributing to their food and water security.

Forests support rural incomes, boosting livelihoods and nutrition

In some countries and regions, forests and trees provide around 20 percent of the income for rural households, enabling access to nutritious food and diverse diets, particularly for the poorest households.