Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

This member contributed to:

    • HLPE-FSN:

      I begin by congratulating all co-authors, as integrating this wealth of information is no small feat. I am confident that this report will mark a watershed in the transformation of food systems.

      I offer some suggestions for your consideration:

      Section 6.5.4: It may be beneficial to discuss how public food procurement systems can serve as a market price benchmark, thereby helping to mitigate speculation in crisis contexts, akin to what was observed during the pandemic. Additionally, these systems could act as a distribution channel for food assistance programs aimed at the most vulnerable populations.

      Section 1.4: It is imperative to acknowledge that the food system cannot be fully understood without considering its interplay with other major systems (referred to in the draft as urbanization), but a more detailed specification is needed to clarify the point. Relevant systems to mention include transportation, land ownership, water rights for agricultural production, housing, water supply and sanitation, education, and healthcare. This concept aligns with Aromar Revi's notion of a "system of systems," where social, economic, and biophysical dimensions converge.

      Chapter 2: In discussions on demographics, it is essential to delve deeper into migration as both a cause and consequence of food insecurity. Furthermore, the language used should convey a greater sense of urgency regarding the climate crisis.

      Section 3.3: National-level, representative data is required to understand Food Away From Home (FAFH) in many countries. The systematic reviews already identified primarily include high-income countries. An alternative source of data could be national income and expenditure surveys, though they often lack information on this aspect, as is the case in Mexico. Issuing a recommendation to low- and middle-income countries in this regard could be significant. Additionally, I suggest moving away from the binary developed vs. developing country terminology when referring to nations, as it is a limited perspective that we must transcend, especially when the discussion pertains solely to economic development. As an alternative, consider adopting the World Bank's income-based classification: high-income countries, upper-middle-income countries, lower-middle-income countries, and low-income countries.

      Regarding the retail section: It is important to note that convenience stores, which have formed large chains, are unequivocally part of the modern system. The relatively small size of each of their economic units belies the sophisticated logistics and distribution system behind them, hence their ability to displace traditional retail. On convenience stores, it would be beneficial to report their absolute and relative growth estimates in Mexico, referencing more recent and impactful publications (e.g., Hernández-F, M., Figueroa, J. L., & Colchero, M. A.. Association between density of stores and purchases of ultra-processed food and sugar-sweetened beverages in Mexico. Health & Place 2021, 68, 102528).

      Complexity aspects: To go beyond the HLPE 2017's modern/traditional/mixed system classification, consider including complexity aspects. For instance, various companies have organized retail schemes based on the informal labor market, as observed in Mexico