FAO and Consumers International extend their collaboration to support more sustainable agrifood systems

On 18 September 2024, FAO and Consumers International reaffirmed their long-standing partnership and shared interest in promoting more sustainable agrifood systems through a renewed partnership.

A key focus of the agreement are consumption-related actions to improve food security and nutrition, promoting the realization of the right to adequate food, tackling pressing urban food challenges, and other interventions to catalyze the potential of consumers to contribute to agrifood systems transformation.

The partnership will seek to contribute to the development and implementation of comprehensive food-based dietary guidelines, expected to serve as indispensable tools to improve public health and guide individuals and communities towards healthier eating choices.

By exploring the intricate connections between agrifood systems and local governments, FAO and Consumers International will seek to contribute to tackling pressing urban food challenges. This approach aims to create more resilient and equitable food environments, addressing the unique needs of urban populations.

In addition to focusing on dietary guidelines and urban issues, the partnership will actively promote the Right to Food, to ensure that all individuals have access to sufficient, safe, diverse, and nutritious food, reinforcing the fundamental right to adequate food.

The collaboration will direct efforts towards fostering responsible value chains, prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices in food production and distribution. FAO and Consumers International aim to encourage agrifood systems that not only meet current demand, but also protect the environment for future generations.

Fundamental to the partnership is capacity building, which will act as a key enabler of change. By empowering consumer organizations through collaborative and multistakeholder approaches, one aim is to enhance strengthen consumer organizations’ advocacy on consumer rights and sustainability. Engaging local consumer organizations in national agrifood dialogues will further ensure that grassroots perspectives are integrated into policy discussions, leading to more inclusive and equitable agrifood systems.

Together, these strategic efforts by FAO and Consumers International mark a significant advance in the global fight for sustainable agrifood systems. This partnership promises to contribute profoundly to the health and welfare of communities around the world, fostering a future in which food security and nutritional quality are within everyone's reach.