International launch of guidance notes for decision-makers on fruits and vegetables

Background

In 2019, the United Nations declared 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (hereinafter IYFV). The IYFV seeks to raise awareness in the population regarding the nutritional benefits of the consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V). Promoting greater consumption and inclusion of these foods in the diet contributes to diversified, balanced and healthy habits and lifestyles, while also directing attention to the importance of policies to reduce losses and waste of highly perishable food.

In this regard, the IYFV emphasizes the important role that fruits and vegetables can play in ensuring food security and nutrition, and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and lessons learned, for example by incorporating incentives to increase fruit and vegetable production, increasing efficiency at the market level, promoting investments in market storage facilities or reducing food losses and waste through packaging and at different stages throughout the value chain.

In 2021, within the framework of the IYFV, FAO has supported Chile in the following activities:

i)       Elaboration of a series of policy briefs as an outcome of the FAO/WHO International Workshop on Fruits and Vegetables 2020, which are designed to guide policymakers to adopt the most effective and efficient policies that promote sustainable fruit and vegetable production, supply, and availability for human and planetary health.

ii)      Virtual business centre to promote the participation of Family Farming in short supply chains.

iii)    Evaluation of interventions to promote the consumption of F&V in the most vulnerable population.

iv)    Awareness-raising and communication campaign "Se pasó pa’buena idea" (What a great idea!).

General objective

To disseminate technical documents among members of the international community interested in promoting fruits and vegetables from an agri-food system perspective.

Specific objectives

Exchange experiences and best practices associated with:

• Promoting fruit and vegetable value chains to improve supply and consumption.
• Promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• Promoting safe and adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables to improve health.

Methodology

The webinar will be held virtually, with the participation of relevant international actors interested in promoting fruit and vegetable value chains, the nutritional benefits of the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and their contribution to a more balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle.

With the purpose of making the event more dynamic, the webinar will consist of three blocks with each focused on one technical document, and with the participation of two experts in each area.

The meeting will offer simultaneous translation (Spanish-English and English-Spanish).

Agenda

• 11:30 Welcome to participants. Moderator: Karla Santos, Nutrition Consultant FAO Chile.

• 11:35 Opening remarks.Eve Crowley, FAO Chile Representative.

• 11:40 Opening remarks. José Pedro Guilisasti, Executive Secretary of Sistema Elige Vivir Sano, Government of Chile.

• 11:45 Presentation of guidance notes for decision-makers on fruits and vegetables. Rebecca Kanter, University of Chile

• 12:00 Best practices associated with promoting fruit and vegetable value chains to improve supply and consumption

          Panelists: Lusike Wasilwa, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and Froilán Flores, president of the Association of Open-Air Markets of Chile (ASOF).

• 12:20 Best practices associated with promoting the consumption of fruits and vegetables

          Panelists: Israel Ríos, FAO LAC Nutrition Officer and Manuel Moñino, AIAM5 Coordinator - Global Alliance for the Promotion of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption "5 a day".

• 12:40 Best practices associated with promoting safe and adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables to improve health

          Panelists: Sofía Bustos, Director ONG Actuemos and Fernando Vio, Professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) of the University of Chile.

• 13:15 Closing remarks. Moderator: Karla Santos, Nutrition Consultant FAO Chile.