Food security and nutritions

Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) is a concept linked to the right of all individuals to have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and preferences, allowing them to lead an active and healthy life1. This concept is based on five fundamental pillars:

  1. Availability of Food: Refers to the presence of sufficient food in terms of quantity and quality.
  2. Access to Food: Implies having the necessary means to acquire suitable food for a nutritious diet.
  3. Biological Utilization: Focuses on how the body utilizes nutrients from food.
  4. Stability: Ensures that the availability, access, and appropriate use of food occur consistently over time without disruptions.
  5. Governance: Refers to how all necessary actions are coordinated to achieve Food security and nutrition.

What are the causes of food and nutritional insecurity in Peru?

The causes of food and nutritional insecurity in Peru are multifactorial and complex. According to recent reports, the main causes include:

  1. Factors Affecting Access:
    • Poverty: A significant portion of the population lives in chronic poverty, preventing them from covering their basic food basket. The recent global health crisis has exacerbated this situation due to inflation caused by rising prices of essential foods like wheat, rice, and oil, affecting the purchasing power of many families in Peru.
    • Fertilizer Crisis: The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent fertilizer crisis have impacted food production. Evidence shows a reduction in agricultural and livestock production in 2023, which could affect food availability.
  2. Factors Affecting Biological Utilization:
    • Childhood Diseases: Acute diarrhea and respiratory infections can affect the utilization of food due to inflammation and malabsorption. Therefore, Food security and nutrition necessarily include access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education for the entire population.

 

These factors, along with others, contribute to over half of the Peruvian population lacking regular access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. Addressing this situation requires integrated solutions that tackle both immediate and underlying causes of food and nutritional insecurity.

What solutions does PERUSAN recommend to reduce food insecurity in Peru?

To address and reduce food insecurity in our country, PERUSAN recommends the following strategies involving coordinated action by the government, civil society, and the private sector:

  1. Promote Sustainable Employment: Creating long-term jobs can help reduce poverty and improve access to nutritious food.
  2. Link Food and Agricultural Policies: Ensure that nutritious diets are accessible and affordable for all, especially vulnerable populations.
  3. Support Farmers and Fishermen: Provide resources and tools to enhance production and facilitate market access.
  4. School Feeding Programs: Implement and expand programs that provide food to children in schools.
  5. Food Distribution: Use community kitchens and communal dining facilities to distribute food to those in need.
  6. Nutrition Education: Promote healthy eating habits through the Ministry of Education (MINEDU) and the Ministry of Health (MINSA), especially in vulnerable communities.
  7. Improve Access to Water and Sanitation: Ensure the quality and proper preparation of food produced and consumed.

These strategies aim to create a more food-secure and nutritionally sound environment for all Peruvians