Food Systems Scoping Brief

This year, 2021, is critical for nutrition, and issues around food systems will take centre stage. The Food Systems Summit will take place in September, and the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the third Nutrition for Growth Summit will take place in December. It is important for everyone working to reduce malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to gain a better understanding of the relevant aspects of food systems so we can contribute to these conversations and maximise momentum during this important year for nutrition. This brief has been developed to help the nutrition community contribute to conversations at these key moments and to capitalise on the opportunities offered to drive forward actions to reduce malnutrition in LMICs. It does this by summarising relevant aspects of food systems and suggesting key entry points for engagement, including: food systems in fragile contexts, infant and young child feeding, child wasting and stunting, and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescent.