A new IIASA policy brief outlines the recommendations, tools, and key findings of the FACE-Africa project, co-developed with Gambian food system stakeholders to help the country adapt to climate change and ensure sufficient healthy food for its people.
Tag: Food Security
Product images could boost food pantry use
Cornell University researchers found that visual depictions of food pantry offerings, including brand names, have an ameliorative effect on negative product perceptions.
Heat and drought leading threat to food security & agricultural
Heat and drought are the utmost limiting abiotic factors which pose a major threat to food security and agricultural production and are exacerbated by ‘extreme and rapid’ climate change, according to a new paper in CABI Reviews.
New index shows regions in the north have higher risk of food insecurity
A new index developed by researchers at the University of Southampton reveals neighbourhoods in the north of England have the highest risk of food insecurity.

How the CSU is Prioritizing Students’ Needs
As a national leader in studying the prevalence of food and housing insecurity for college students, the California State University (CSU) understands the significant role basic needs play in student success. With 23 universities and nearly 460,000 students, the CSU engages in a number of systemwide efforts and community and university partnerships throughout California to maximize the support services available to its students.
Small fish could play big role in fight against malnutrition
Inexpensive, small fish species caught in seas and lakes in developing countries could help close nutritional gaps for undernourished people, and especially young children, according to new research.
Dirt-cheap solar evaporation could solve the world’s soil pollution problem
A team led by University of South Australia researchers has pioneered a new soil remediation technique that is significantly faster, simpler, safer, and more cost-effective than currently available methods.
Food pantry access worth billions nationally, study finds
A research collaboration between Cornell University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers the first estimates of the economic value contributed by food pantries, and finds it is substantial – worth up to $1,000 annually to participating families and as much as $28 billion nationwide.
US food insufficiency spiked by 25% after monthly Child Tax Credits expired
In the months after the advance federal Child Tax Credit cash payments ended in December 2021, low-income families with children struggled the most to afford enough food.
A sustainable path to eliminate hunger in Africa
To feed Africa’s growing population, agricultural-food systems need to be modernized. In a new study, researchers analyzed how continental free trade and agricultural development could ensure sustainable food security for Africa.
Climate-resilient breadfruit might be the food of the future
In the face of climate change, breadfruit soon might come to a dinner plate near you. While researchers predict that climate change will have an adverse effect on most staple crops, including rice, corn and soybeans, a new Northwestern University study finds that breadfruit — a starchy tree fruit native to the Pacific islands — will be relatively unaffected.
New NUS Research Centre on Sustainable Urban Farming seeks high-tech solutions to boost Singapore’s food security
Addressing the need for indoor urban farming solutions, the National University of Singapore (NUS) officially launched the Research Centre on Sustainable Urban Farming (SUrF), to bring together the diverse expertise of principal investigators across the University to develop novel science- and technology-based solutions for urban farming in Singapore.
AgTech NEXT 2022 to Focus on Reinventing a Food System in Crisis
The Danforth Center announced that AgTech NEXT TM 2022, Reinventing a Food System in Crisis: Technology, Trade, Talent will be held in person at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center on October 11 – 13. Registration is now open.
Extreme heat hinders fight against global poverty, malnutrition
Extreme heat is baking communities across parts of Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere, causing record temperatures, dangerous conditions and fatalities. Ariel Ortiz-Bobea is an applied economist at Cornell University with expertise in agricultural, environmental and energy policy. Ortiz-Bobea and colleagues…
Interventions based on social needs may reduce hospitalizations, health care use
A randomized study of adult Medicaid patients suggests that social program-based interventions for housing, food security, and transportation may reduce inpatient admission rates by 11 percent and emergency department visits by 4 percent. However, health care savings based on these interventions may not cover the cost of social the social programs. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Sustainable practices improve farmers’ wellbeing
Small-holder farmers in rural Tanzania can improve food security and their wellbeing by adopting agroecological practices, new research funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund has shown.
Global Study Finds Healthy Eating Got Pricier in the Pandemic
A new study compared the retail prices of eight food groups and overall consumer prices in 180 countries between January 2019 and June 2021, and found that the cost of groceries rose in tandem with COVID-19 case counts across the globe.

“New York Yankees Healthy Home Plate Program” Partners with “Tower Farms” and “Green Bronx Machine” to Teach Local Young People About the Importance of Nutrition and Ways to Prepare Healthy, Affordable Meals
The New York Yankees today announced that the Yankee Stadium Tower Garden will be unveiled Monday, May 23 at 1:45 p.m. at Yankee Stadium’s Gate 2. Participating in the event will be community leaders, Yankees executives, local students and Yankees pitchers Nestor Cortes and Michael King (full list of attendees noted further below).
Predicting and addressing food and nutrition security, Clemson professor offers research and insight.
Last weekend’s attack on a Buffalo, New York, supermarket has brought national attention to the issue of food deserts — areas with limited or no access to healthy, affordable food, whether through supermarkets, supercenters, or local grocery stores. In 2017,…
How fast-growing algae could enhance growth of food crops
A new study provides a framework to boost crop growth by incorporating a strategy adopted from a fast-growing species of green algae.

IN2 AgTech Startups Making an Impact
While our planet faces many grand challenges that are impacting global food security, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is helping to bring new AgTech innovations to the table.
Saving the Mekong delta from drowning
Southeast Asia’s most productive agricultural region and home to 17 million people could be mostly underwater within a lifetime.
Finding the best lentil varieties for every farm
A recent study measured how environmental factors and plant genetics come together to influence lentil yields and nutritional content
St. Louis Comes Together to Announce the Taylor Geospatial Institute
The Taylor Geospatial Institute is a first-of-its-kind institution that brings together eight leading research institutions to collaborate on research into geospatial technology.
Cassava: A Plant for all times
Cassava is a key food security crop around the world
Global climate change impacts on crops expected within 10 years
Climate change may affect the production of maize (corn) and wheat by 2030 if current trends continue, according to a new international study.
Study led by NUS researchers reveals climate change increases fluvial sediment in the high mountains of Asia
To examine the impact of a warmer and wetter climate in High Mountain Asia, Professor Lu Xixi and Dr Dongfeng Li from the Department of Geography at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences led an international team of researchers to conduct a new analysis of observations of headwater rivers in the area. The study revealed that fluvial sediment loads have been increasing substantially, even much faster than river water discharge. This has important implications for water quality, hydropower development and maintenance, and for the riverine carbon cycle.
FFAR Funding Supports Research to Speed Development of Perennial Crops
The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is providing a Seeding Solutions grant to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center to accelerate development of perennial crops.
Agricultural decarbonization gets new emphasis at ORNL
Finding a way to reduce metric tons of carbon dioxide while sustaining food products to feed the country and the world is becoming an area of increased focus in national decarbonization efforts and is attracting increased attention at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
To solve Brazil’s energy and food crisis: store more water
Storing greater amounts of water in Brazil’s reservoirs could increase precipitation and river flow, alleviating the water and energy supply crisis in Brazil.
Balancing food security and nitrogen use
An international team of researchers explored the possible effects that current nitrogen related mitigation options could have on reconciling regional food security and environmental targets for nitrogen.
New NSF Center Will Advance Phosphorus Sustainability
North Carolina State University will lead a national research effort to reduce both dependence on mined phosphates and the amount of phosphorus that leaches into soil and water, the National Science Foundation announced today.
Expert review: USDA Food Insecurity Report, how COVID-19 has intensified food insecurity
The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified issues for people and families experiencing food insecurity. With the USDA’s Food Insecurity report set to come out today, we’d like to make sociologist Leslie Hossfeld available to you. As dean of the College…
New West Virginia health survey aims to better inform policy makers to help deliver resources to communities in need
Researchers at West Virginia University are surveying all 55 West Virginia counties to better understand critical health needs. The goal is to direct resources to the communities that need them most.
Golden Rice Approved for Commercial Propagation in the Philippines
Filipino rice consumers are close to benefiting from a provitamin A-infused rice with the approval of its commercial propagation permit.
Informing policy for long-term global food security
The results of a new IIASA-led study can be used to benchmark global food security projections and inform policy analysis and public debate on the future of food.
Danforth Center and international partners unveil landmark insect resistant cowpea for Nigerian farmers
Nigeria has achieved a major milestone in the history of agricultural research and development with the commercial launch of Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) Cowpea.
Meeting Preview: Hot Topics at NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE
Reporters and bloggers are invited to join top nutrition researchers and practitioners for a dynamic virtual program at NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE. The flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition runs June 7–10, 2021 and features research announcements, expert discussions and more.
Building better beans to fight food insecurity
As climate change heats up the air and land making them hotter and dryer, warmer nighttime temperatures make it more difficult to grow beans — a critical source of protein for populations. Researchers are working against this to build more resilient beans.
Backyard chickens, rabbits, soybeans can meet household protein demand
In 2020, stores sold out of garden seed, coops and rabbit cages. Meat shortages led many to wonder what to eat for protein when supply chains are disrupted and some people turned to gathering eggs, raising animals and growing their own food. A team from Michigan Tech and the University of Alaska assessed backyard protein sources: They looked at how a typical household with a typical backyard can raise chickens, rabbits or soybeans to meet its protein needs.
Tanzanian farmers boost diets with sustainable methods
Diversity of children’s diets and food security improved for households after Tanzanian farmers learned about sustainable crop-growing methods, gender equity, nutrition and climate change from peer mentors.

Helping stevia brave the cold
The popular stevia sweetener comes from a tropical crop. New research is helping find the varieties that can grow in colder climates.

Cataloguing genetic information about yams
New collection of resources will help yam breeders and farmers
Expert available to comment on how crises like droughts and COVID-19 can disrupt food supply chains and make food crop prices skyrocket
Recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, locust infestations, drought and labour shortages have disrupted food supply chains, endangering food security in the process. Associate Professor Matti Kummu is ready to speak on his latest work published in Nature Food,…

Some food contamination starts in the soil
Rice husk residue can prevent uptake of harmful elements in rice
Food export restrictions by a few countries could skyrocket global food crop prices
Recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, locust infestations, drought and labour shortages have disrupted food supply chains, endangering food security in the process. A study published in Nature Food shows that trade restrictions and stockpiling of supplies by a few key countries could create global food price spikes and severe local food shortages during times of threat.
Transformations within reach: Pathways to a sustainable and resilient world
The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and the International Science Council (ISC) have drawn on the combined strengths and expertise of the two organizations to help build a sustainable post-COVID-19 world.

Land deals meant to improve food security may have hurt
Large-scale land acquisitions by foreign investors, intended to improve global food security, had little to no benefit, increasing crop production in some areas while simultaneously threatening local food security in others, according to Notre Dame researchers who studied their effects.

‘Hail to the Queen’ – Saving the Caribbean Queen Conch
Second only to the spiny lobster, the queen conch is a prized delicacy long harvested for food and is revered for its beautiful shell. Conch populations have dwindled so low, creating a dire and urgent situation in ecological and economic terms. To preserve this most significant molluscan fishery in the Caribbean, the world’s leading expert on queen conch aquaculture has published an 80-page, step-by-step user manual that provides complete illustrations and photos of how to culture and restore the queen conch.

Tepary beans – a versatile and sustainable native crop
This drought and heat tolerant crop can provide nutrition, even when grown in harsh environments.