FAO/WHO International Workshop on Fruits and Vegetables in preparation for the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021

FAO/WHO International Workshop on Fruits and Vegetables in preparation for the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 56
Release: 2021-08-18
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251348243

In view of the upcoming International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (IYFV) to be observed in 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized the FAO/WHO International Workshop on Fruits and Vegetables 2020. The aim was to review global evidence surrounding the effectiveness of interventions and the policy, programmatic and scientific advances in the decades since the Joint FAO/WHO Workshop on Fruit and Vegetables for Health (Kobe, Japan, 2004). The overall goal of the FAO/WHO International Workshop on Fruits and Vegetables 2020 was to develop evidence-based, actionable recommendations for future policies, laws, regulations and programmes aiming to improve F&V consumption, production and value chains.

Promoting safe and adequate fruit and vegetable consumption to improve health

Promoting safe and adequate fruit and vegetable consumption to improve health
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2021-12-23
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251355118

FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend a daily fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake of at least 400 grams/adult. However, low F&V intake has become a global public health problem. The promotion of F&Vs in the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables emphasizes unprocessed or minimally processed F&Vs, which are highly beneficial to health. However, processing can improve food safety, especially from microbiological contamination, and reduce loss and waste. Conversely, F&Vs which are highly processed can undermine the health benefits of F&V consumption.

Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption

Promoting fruit and vegetable consumption
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2021-12-20
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9251355126

Global fruit and vegetable (F&V) production and consumption are significantly below the threshold needed to meet the FAO and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended F&V intake. In 2017, approximately 4 million premature deaths globally were attributable to insufficient F&V consumption. Globally, very few policy actions specifically promote F&V consumption beyond school-based interventions. Communication and behavior change interventions are insufficient on their own. International evidence suggests that fiscal policies, and policies and programmes that increase access to fresh F&Vs through mobile produce markets can be effective in increasing F&V consumption.

FAO publications catalogue 2021

FAO publications catalogue 2021
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2021-10-19
Genre: Young Adult Nonfiction
ISBN: 9251350892

This catalogue aims to improve the dissemination and outreach of FAO’s knowledge products and overall publishing programme. By providing information on its key publications in every area of FAO’s work, and catering to a range of audiences, it thereby contributes to all organizational outcomes. From statistical analysis to specialized manuals to children’s books, FAO publications cater to a diverse range of audiences. This catalogue presents a selection of FAO’s main publications, produced in 2021 or earlier, ranging from its global reports and general interest publications to numerous specialized titles. In addition to the major themes of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, it also includes thematic sections on climate change, economic and social development, and food safety and nutrition.

Promoting fruit and vegetable value chains to improve supply and consumption

Promoting fruit and vegetable value chains to improve supply and consumption
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 26
Release: 2021-12-21
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251355134

Policies with a focus on fruits and vegetables (F&Vs) need special consideration because of the high perishability and susceptibility of F&Vs to waste and loss, high labour demand, yield variations, and high consumer prices. Factors that limit the availability and affordability of F&Vs include low production and productivity, the loss of agrobiodiversity, inadequate technology, logistics and infrastructure, weak organizational, business and technical skills, and inefficient market linkages across the supply chain. Many value chains for F&Vs need improvements, investments and shortening as well as gender-responsive approaches, including gender-sensitive investments, to achieve better producer prices, lower risk and higher quality, especially for small farmers.

2021 Annual Report – Plant Production and Protection

2021 Annual Report – Plant Production and Protection
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 45
Release: 2022-06-30
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251364443

The 2021 Annual Report – Plant Production and Protection provides in-depth information, key facts and figures from the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP).

Fruit and vegetables – your dietary essentials

Fruit and vegetables – your dietary essentials
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 81
Release: 2020-12-15
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 9251337098

The International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021 (IYFV), as declared by the UN General Assembly in Resolution A/RES/74/244, aims at raising awareness of, directing policy attention to, and sharing good practices on the nutritional and health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, the contribution of fruit and vegetable consumption to the promotion of diversified, balanced and healthy diets and lifestyles, and reducing loss and waste of fruits and vegetables. This background paper outlines the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, but also examines the various aspects of the fruit and vegetable sector from a food systems approach: from sustainable production and trade to loss and waste management. This paper provides an overview of the sector and a framework and a starting point for discussion for the Year, highlighting the interlinkages of stakeholders and key issues to be considered for action during the IYFV.

Effects of fruit and vegetable intakes on direct and indirect health outcomes

Effects of fruit and vegetable intakes on direct and indirect health outcomes
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2021-07-27
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9251347204

This background paper summarizes the evidence on the effects of fruits and vegetable intakes on direct and indirect health outcomes. Modeling and observational research studies have reported benefits to sustainability outcomes and a reduction of inequities in food systems with the production of fruits and vegetables grown within agroecological systems and distributed through short supply chains. Such systems require protection from large-scale monocropping and industrial methods of food production and supply.

Promoting sustainable and inclusive value chains for fruits and vegetables – Policy review

Promoting sustainable and inclusive value chains for fruits and vegetables – Policy review
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 88
Release: 2021-07-27
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9251347182

The persistence of undernutrition and the increasing levels of overweight and obesity worldwide (with their associated societal costs) are calling for a transformation of food systems towards healthier diets. Fruits and vegetables are key components of a healthy diet; however, their consumption is considerably below the minimal levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This underconsumption is particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries and among low-income socio-economic groups in all countries. This paper uses the value chain approach to analyze the factors that affect the availability and affordability of fruits and vegetables. It examines major challenges across the value chain and identifies opportunities for improvement as seen through a nutrition-sensitive lens. Factors that negatively affect the availability and affordability of fruits and vegetables discussed in this paper include low production and productivity, the loss of agrobiodiversity, inadequate technology, logistics and infrastructure, weak organizational, business, and technical skills, and inefficient market linkages across the supply chain. The paper proposes a number of policy recommendations based on insights from documented cases of good practices and on lessons learned in domestic and export-oriented value chains. The paper makes a case for reviving native, underutilized, and neglected fruit and vegetable varieties to improve nutrition and increase agrobiodiversity. In addition, short value chains delivering to local markets are recommended as a resilience strategy for smallscale producers and low-income consumers in the face of climatic and economic shocks.

The effectiveness of policies and programmes promoting fruits and vegetables

The effectiveness of policies and programmes promoting fruits and vegetables
Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2021-07-27
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 9251347190

Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake is a substantial contributor to the international burden of disease. Low fruit and vegetable intake is ranked among the leading dietary risk factors for mortality across low, middle, and high-income countries. But food decisions are complex. As a result, the reasons why people do not eat enough fruits and vegetables are complex. This paper, prepared as a contribution and input to the the FAO/WHO international workshop on fruits and vegetables 2020, reviews the challenges, opportunities and recommendations to develop effective policies and programmes promoting fruits and vegetables, from production to comsumption.