This report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations sets out the latest statistics on food security around the world, analyses how government policies are affecting food and agriculture, and sets out options for repurposing government support to improve the affordability of healthy diets. It finds that hunger has continued to worsen, with around 150 million more people affected by hunger in 2021 compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

In April 2022, 7.3 million adults in the UK either had smaller meals or skipped meals, did not eat despite being hungry, or did not eat for a whole day because they could not afford or access food, according to new data from The Food Foundation. The number of people affected is higher than in January 2022, with The Food Foundation attributing the rise in food insecurity to rising food prices as well as higher energy bills, petrol prices and inflation (7% as of March 2022).

“Hidden hunger” - sufficient calorie intake coupled with micronutrient deficiencies - is a widespread global problem, according to this article from Food Unfolded. The authors discuss innovations that combat iron malnutrition, including newer more tolerable forms of iron supplementation, multi-micronutrient powders that can be sprinkled onto ready-to-eat foods, and biofortification of staple food crops.

This synthesis report from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization looks at the land, soil and water resources used by the world’s food systems. It uses the “driver–pressure–state–impact–response” framework to analyse the links between agricultural production, society and the environment.

The 2021 edition of the Global Nutrition Report examines progress towards global nutrition targets, the impact of diets on health and the environment, the nutrition financing landscape, and reporting on Nutrition for Growth commitments. 

This book describes the extent and causes of “holiday hunger” in the UK, faced by up to three million children when free school meals are not available. It reviews responses to holiday hunger, including holiday clubs where children can eat for free during school holidays. 

NGOs have warned in an open letter to state leaders that 34 million people are currently at risk of famine, with many more experiencing hunger. The letter says “These people are not starving, they are being starved” and points to drivers including violence, inequality, the impacts of climate change, loss of land or jobs, and the impacts of COVID-19. They call for $5.5 billion to be provided to support immediate food assistance.

The UK’s Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) reports that its members have distributed 175% more emergency food parcels during April 2020 than during April 2019. The data covers 112 organisations operating 213 independent food banks across the UK. The number of people supported by or referred to these food banks was 132% greater when comparing across the same time periods. 

The 2020 edition of the Global Nutrition Report uses the concept of nutrition equity to examine multiple forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition and obesity. The report stresses that poor diets and malnutrition are not simply the result of personal choices - rather, the problem is systemic, with the vast majority of people being unable to access or afford a healthy diet. It calls for coordinated action between stakeholders to build equitable, resilient and sustainable food and health systems.