The Farm-to-Table Movement: Nourishing the Linkages between Agriculture, Food Systems and Nutrition

Abstract

The Farm-to-Table Movement has emerged as a powerful and transformative approach to enhance the interconnections between agriculture, food systems, and nutrition. This review paper explores the multifaceted implications of this movement and its impact on global nutrition. Malnutrition, a pervasive global challenge, encompasses issues ranging from undernutrition to the escalating crisis of overweight and obesity, alongside widespread micronutrient deficiencies. These challenges stem from a complex interplay of factors, involving household and individual decision-making, agrifood practices, healthcare systems, environmental dynamics and policy processes. In this review paper, we examine the theoretical foundations and recent qualitative evidence found within the public health and nutrition literature to explore the pivotal role of agriculture in enhancing global nutrition. We also delve into the rapid transformations occurring in food systems, driven by forces such as globalization, trade liberalization and urbanization, analysing their profound implications on nutrition at a global scale. Notably, malnutrition represents the most significant risk factor for the global burden of disease, affecting one in three individuals worldwide. Many nations grapple with a "triple burden" that includes energy and micronutrient deficiencies, in addition to escalating rates of overweight and obesity. This paper sheds light on this multifaceted challenge and the evolving dynamics of agriculture and food systems, advocating for a comprehensive approach that extends beyond traditional agriculture. To harness agri-food systems effectively for improved nutrition, we propose a multifaceted framework that encompasses the creation of supportive institutional and policy environments, the development of more nutrition-sensitive agricultural programs and food system interventions, and the cultivation of capacity and leadership to demand and utilize relevant evidence for improved decision-making. This review underscores the urgency of bridging the gap between agriculture and nutrition, particularly in a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by globalization, trade liberalization and urbanization.