Food System Resilience

At GAIN, we view the resilience of food systems as the cornerstone to ensure access to nutritious and sustainable diets for all, especially for the most vulnerable.

Definition of food system resilience in GAIN

At GAIN, we view the resilience of food systems as the cornerstone to ensure access to nutritious and sustainable diets for all, especially for the most vulnerable. Food system resilience is the capacity of these systems to withstand shocks and stresses, maintain essential functions, adapt or transform sustainably, while preserving food security and nutrition for current and future generations.

Our Commitment in the GAIN Strategy 2022 – 2027

Systems as a high priority. Our goal is to strengthen resilience by focusing on strategies and actions that enhance the adaptability and responsiveness of food systems in the face of a changing world. This commitment ensures food security and nutrition even in the face of adversity.

What is the connection to nutrition, food systems, and policy pathways?

Resilient food systems play a significant role in ensuring the availability and accessibility of nutritious food, safeguarding against food insecurity and malnutrition, especially during crises. The connection between the resilience of food systems, nutrition, and policy pathways is profound and multifaceted.
Public policies are essential in reinforcing the resilience of the food system by promoting sustainable agriculture, investing in disaster-resistant infrastructure, and creating safety nets for vulnerable populations. These policies create an environment that supports both food security and nutrition. Recognizing this interconnection is crucial for a holistic approach to food systems, aligned with international agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our approach - how do we operate?

The GAIN Food System Resilience Strategy is built around three pillars: Programs, Advocacy, and Operations.

Programmatic interventions

At GAIN, we recognize that resilience is the foundation for ensuring that food systems can withstand shocks and stresses while continuing to provide nutritious and sustainable diets. We believe in promoting resilience at various levels within food systems:

Programmatic Interventions - Building Resilience from the Ground Up

Our programmatic interventions prioritize strengthening the resilience of food systems. This involves:

Enhancing the resilience of small-scale producers, processors, and distributors by equipping them with tools, knowledge, and resources to withstand challenges such as climate variability, conflicts, and economic shocks.
Investing in resilient food production, processing, and distribution practices that promote sustainable agricultural methods, efficient resource management, and long-term sustainability.
Encouraging smart food production in response to shocks that adapt to changing environmental, social, economic, and political conditions while simultaneously minimizing negative impacts on food systems.
Developing resilient food market infrastructures and supply chains that ensure the uninterrupted flow of nutritious food to consumers, especially during times of crisis.

Policy and advocacy

Our advocacy efforts aim to influence policies that enhance the resilience of food systems. We work to:

Promote policies that support the development of resilient food system infrastructures, including transportation, storage, and market facilities.
Advocate for investments in disaster-resistant infrastructure to safeguard food systems from natural disasters and climate-related events.
Collaborate with governments to establish safety nets that improve the resilience of vulnerable populations, ensuring their access to nutritious food even in challenging circumstances.
Encourage the development of regulations and standards that prioritize food safety and quality, ultimately increasing the resilience of the food supply chain.

Operations

In our own operations, we strive to set an example of resilience by:

Measuring our carbon footprint and actively working to reduce it, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
Implementing a travel policy that not only reduces carbon emissions but also ensures the continuity of activities in a changing world.
Building an internal culture of resilience, where our team members have the ability to adapt to evolving circumstances and promote positive changes.

By incorporating resilience into every facet of our approach, from program implementation to policy advocacy and internal operations, we aim to strengthen food systems against the challenges of a dynamic and uncertain world.