Food Program Research Articles

Volatility of Agricultural Commodities in Mubi and Dawanau Markets in Adamawa and Kano States in Nigeria

In this paper, we examined the volatility of agricultural commodities like Maize (White), Cowpeas (Brown) and Sorghum (White) in Adamawa and Kano state markets from 2015 – 2022 using data obtained from World Food Programme (WFD) food prices nga. We also compared the volatilities of these agricultural commodities in the Adamawa (Mubi) market with the volatilities of the same agricultural commodities in the Kano (Dawanau) market to study the evolution of the price of these agricultural commodities in the Adamawa (Mubi) and Kano (Dawanau) markets.

Cryptocurrency, International Aid, and Development: Opportunities and Challenges

In this study, the author focuses on how cryptocurrency and blockchain technology can be used to improve delivery of international aid since traditional methods include problems such as corruption, inefficiency and lack of transparency. The main research question addresses the question of how cryptocurrency could enhance efficiency, enhance transparency, accountability, and fight corruption in the dispensation of aid. The authors performed a qualitative content analysis of data collected from multiple articles, reports, and case studies including World Food Programme and United Nations Children's Fund(UNICEF).The study shows that blockchain’s distributed digital ledger minimizes misappropriation of funds risk, maintains real-time tracking; cryptocurrencies, specifically stablecoins, are more effective in real and low-cost transactions. Nevertheless, the work also points to the threats evident in legal and regulatory frameworks, low levels of digital literacy, and technological constraints. In conclusion, if all the challenges are solved, the cryptocurrency will enable the complete redesign of the distribution of the funds for aid.

Validity and Reliability Assessment of a Food and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents From Low-Income Communities

ObjectiveDevelop and validate an evaluation questionnaire for sixth-12th grade Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) participants. DesignFive-step process: domain concept prioritization, question generation, question pretesting, reliability testing, and criterion validity testing. SettingCommunity sites in 4 states and New Jersey EFNEP secondary program data. ParticipantsNineteen sixth-12th graders were interviewed; secondary data included 164 ninth-12th graders. Variables MeasuredContent, face, and criterion validity; internal reliability. AnalysisIterative template analysis to gauge conceptual understanding; exploratory factor analysis with orthogonal Varimax rotation, interitem correlations, and Cronbach α; Spearman correlations and Bland-Altman plots against the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and Youth Risk Behavior Survey questions. ResultsFourteen questions with acceptable face validity were developed. One item (handwashing) had a ceiling effect and was removed. Eleven of the remaining 13 items were loaded onto 4 factors. The remaining 2 items were kept because of conceptual relevance. The questionnaire demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity overall, but subscale Cronbach α values ranged from 0.53–0.75. Conclusions and ImplicationsThis 13-item questionnaire was presented to national EFNEP program leaders and was implemented by EFNEP in October 2023. Further research could establish temporal reliability and gold standard criterion validity estimates with a multistate sample of sixth through 12th graders.

Good Demand-Supply Matching Practices as A Key to The Efficiency and Effectiveness of Free Nutritional Meal Programs: Leveraging Diverse Supply Sources to Maximize Government Expenditure Value

The free nutritious food program initiated by President-elect Prabowo and his cabinet aims to improve the quality of life of Indonesians, especially vulnerable groups. Various factors, including good demand and supply matching practices, largely determine the success of this program. The objective of this research is to analyze the best strategies and techniques for matching demand and supply, as well as for effective inventory management for this program. The research method used is qualitative, with data collection through literature study. After collecting the data, the analysis is done through several stages: filtering, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that good inventory management and supply-demand matching are key factors for the success of this program. Some strategies and techniques identified include careful planning, robust information systems, efficient supply chain management, good inventory management techniques, and diversification of supply sources. Diversifying supply sources helps the government reduce costs, improve food quality, support local economies, and strengthen national food security. By implementing these strategies, the government can ensure that the free nutritious food program can run efficiently and effectively and provide optimal benefits to the wider community.

Anaemia Profile and Inflammation Markers in Stunted Children Under Two Years in Indonesia

Background: Stunting is a common issue affecting children who suffer from chronic malnutrition in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has introduced supplementary food programs for stunted children, but the results have been less satisfactory. This may be due to the presence of anaemia and comorbid diseases. Haematology tests and inflammation markers are necessary to identify these conditions. This study aimed to examine the anaemia profiles and inflammation markers in stunted children under two years old. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design with cluster samples and consecutive analysis was used. The study was conducted between December 2023 and March 2024 at the West Nusa Tenggara Hospital and Palabuhanratu Sukabumi Hospital laboratories. Samples were obtained from various Public Health Centres in Sukabumi, West Java, North Maluku, and West Nusa Tenggara. Data collection comprised interviews, measurements, and the assessment of haematology, biochemical, and inflammatory markers. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20, which includes descriptive analysis, correlation, comparison, and chi-square tests. Results: Two hundred and ten stunted children were identified with various anaemias and comorbidities. These anaemias included suspected thalassemia (38.1%), iron deficiency (18.1%), and anaemia of chronic diseases (13.3%). Based on the inflammatory markers obtained, TB was suspected (21.4%), inflammatory bowel disease (18.1%) was suspected, and allergic proctocolitis was suspected (31.9%). Conclusions: Analysis of the anaemia profiles and inflammatory markers revealed various types of anaemia and suspected comorbidities in stunted children. It is recommended that anaemia profiles and inflammation markers be assessed at the primary healthcare level.

Accommodating Seed Libraries into Public Libraries: A Platform to Address Food Insecurity in India

ABSTRACT There are several initiatives adopted by public libraries to address issues on food insecurity which includes public food programs, community-based agricultural programmes, community food gardens, and seed libraries. The need of a seed library in the community is not just about promoting agricultural practices, it also helps to address the rising food insecurity and hunger issues prevailing in the society. This paper explores how seed libraries could be incorporated within public libraries and their scope in Indian context. For the purpose of the study, previous articles on seed libraries were analyzed to understand its functions and operations. The “Annapurna Seed Library” in Assam is selected to provide insight on the scope for seed libraries in India and how it could be implemented in other states as well.

Response to: willingness v. ability to pay for a universal cost-shared school food programme in Canada.

Response to: willingness v. ability to pay for a universal cost-shared school food programme in Canada.

Letter to the editor: willingness v. ability to pay for a universal cost-shared school food programme in Canada.

Letter to the editor: willingness v. ability to pay for a universal cost-shared school food programme in Canada.

Restructuring the FDA's Food Program: Promises and Pitfalls.

Following an outbreak of Cronobacter sakazakii infection in infant formula, the US Food and Drug Administration commissioned a series of reports and then undertook a major reorganization of its food program. This article describes the changes that went into effect on 1 October 2024, why those changes are likely to improve the new Human Foods Program, and additional work that must be undertaken to enhance the agency's impact upon public health.

The costs and the potential allocation of costs of bouillon fortification: The cases of Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.

Food and condiment fortification programs are needed to address micronutrient deficiencies and their health, developmental, and mortality consequences; but these programs are never free. Knowing program costs and their allocation across stakeholders is essential to design and manage effective, efficient, and sustainable programs. We developed 10-year hypothetical bouillon fortification program cost models for Nigeria, Senegal, and Burkina Faso that included start-up and operational costs for government and industry, as well as premix costs generated by an embedded premix cost calculator to allow for alternative premix formulas in cost calculations. The main drivers of total costs were total bouillon consumption and the types and amounts of fortificants in the micronutrient premix. For a premix that meets 30% of Codex Nutrient Reference Values in 2.5g of bouillon for vitamin A, folate, vitamin B12, zinc, and iron, the cost per metric ton of fortified bouillon was ∼$325 for all countries (∼$0.01 per 2.5g serving). Annual start-up costs ranged from ∼$324k (Burkina Faso) to ∼$455k (Nigeria); nonpremix annual operating costs ranged from ∼$108k (Burkina Faso) to ∼$3.9m (Nigeria); and annual premix costs varied from ∼$2.4m (Burkina Faso) to ∼$76m (Nigeria). In policy discussions, program costs should be set alongside nutritional benefits.

Forecasting trends in food security with real time data

Early warning systems are an essential tool for effective humanitarian action. Advance warnings on impending disasters facilitate timely and targeted response which help save lives and livelihoods. In this work we present a quantitative methodology to forecast levels of food consumption for 60 consecutive days, at the sub-national level, in four countries: Mali, Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen. The methodology is built on publicly available data from the World Food Programme’s global hunger monitoring system which collects, processes, and displays daily updates on key food security metrics, conflict, weather events, and other drivers of food insecurity. In this study we assessed the performance of various models including Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) Network, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and Reservoir Computing (RC), by comparing their Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) metrics. Our findings highlight Reservoir Computing as a particularly well-suited model in the field of food security given both its notable resistance to over-fitting on limited data samples and its efficient training capabilities. The methodology we introduce establishes the groundwork for a global, data-driven early warning system designed to anticipate and detect food insecurity.

Stakeholder Perspectives on the School Food Environment: Insights from South African Learners-A Pilot Study.

Leveraging learner-driven insights to enhance the SFE can significantly influence food choices by decreasing the consumption of unhealthy foods and increasing access to healthier options. Using learners' voices as important stakeholders in the school food environment (SFE), this qualitative research study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives, identify barriers and enablers to fostering a healthy SFE in South African public schools, and explore the link between the SFE and learners' food choices. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 4-6 participants were held in six schools, including three primary and three secondary schools in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education's iLembe district, SA, with learners aged 12-14 and 15-18 years, respectively. Learners were asked how schools could help them eat healthier and how their SFE benefitted them. The data were analysed using thematic data analysis methods. The FGDs generated 14 themes and subthemes. Emerging information suggests a lack of control over the sale of unhealthy food despite the existence of guidelines. This is further exacerbated by the marketing of unhealthy foods, which prevents learners from selecting healthier options. Furthermore, they stated that promoting the school food programme (SFP) and changing attitudes towards healthy food intake through comprehensive nutrition education are useful ways to enhance the SFE. The findings of this study underscore the critical role of learner insights in shaping effective strategies to improve the SFE.

FDA food program is in flux

FDA food program is in flux

The Reasons for Special Talented Secondary School Remoteness Towards Student’s Academic Performance: Case Study; Urban District at Zanzibar

This paper sought to investigate the reasons for special talented secondary school remoteness towards students’ academic performance; a case study of Urban District Council in Zanzibar. Specific objectives were: to determine reasons for special talented secondary school remoteness in Urban district at Zanzibar, and to find out the strategies for improving students’ academic performance in special talented secondary school remoteness in Zanzibar. This article employed a mixed approach research method and is centered and guided by social capital theory propounded by Robert Putnam in 1993. A sample of 151 respondents including 1 DEO, 6 head of schools, 36 teachers, 84 students and 24 parents were used. Simple random sampling techniques were used in selection of ordinary teachers and students while purposive sampling technique was used in selection of the head of schools, DEO and parents in the area of study. Questionnaires, interviews, and documentary reviews were used in data collections. The findings identified reasons for special talented secondary school remoteness in Urban District Council at Zanzibar include limited financial support, nomadic lifestyle, community's negative attitudes towards education, lack of open spaces for constructions of schools, geographical dispersion and unfriendly transport infrastructure. Lastly, the study proposed which can be used to improve students’ academic performance in special talented secondary schools are construction of hostels, introduction of food programs, provision of transport facilities and clear policies on school locations

Relato de Experiência: Implementação de Ações de Educação Alimentar e Nutricional com Estudantes Universitários

The transition to higher education is a phase marked by intense changes in lifestyle, including eating habits. University students' diets are affected by factors such as lack of time, academic pressures, work, and financial issues, often resulting in the choice of quick, ultra-processed foods. Lack of time and stress are aspects that hinder the maintenance of a healthy diet, leading to inadequate eating practices (SANTOS, 2014). Additionally, there is a significant relationship between psychological aspects and eating behavior. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders can directly influence individuals' nutritional status (FRANÇA et al., 2012). Since students face both academic and emotional challenges, the intersection between Nutrition and Psychology becomes an essential tool for promoting healthier eating habits and improving quality of life. This report describes the experience of implementing a Food and Nutrition Education (FNE) program with students from the Psychology course at the University Center of Brasília (UniCEUB), aiming to improve their eating habits and encourage reflection on their food choices. Furthermore, the importance of Health Surveillance in monitoring and promoting food and nutritional security among students will be addressed.

Impacts of water, energy, and food nexus challenges on household vulnerability: the case of Harare City, Zimbabwe

Abstract Water, energy, and food (WEF) are interwoven, and their scarcity in the face of climate change intensifies household vulnerability (HV), particularly in developing countries. The interlinkage is complex; it makes it difficult to make decisions and requires coordinated and integrated approaches. Policymakers face problems when attempting to identify and implement appropriate policy actions at the nexus of these challenges. This study interrogates the contribution of WEF challenges to HV in Harare to create good policies that can enhance synergies. Data was collected from 314 urban households through questionnaires. In addition, 11 in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion were conducted with the Harare Residents’ Association. The stakeholders interviewed included six city council officials, one representative from UNICEF, two from the World Food Program, and two from the Zimbabwe electricity supply authority. Survey data was analysed using both SPSS Statistics and SPSS AMOS software. While SPSS Statistics was used for descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and inferential tests, SPSS Amos was used for construct validation and structural equation modelling (SEM) path analysis. Interviews were recorded, collated, transcribed, and coded through the summative thematic analysis using QSR NVivo v14. SEM was used to test the proposed relationships between WEF challenges and HV. The findings revealed a positive relationship between the WEF constructs and HV among Harare residents. Socioeconomic factors were also found to have a statistically significant effect on the relationship between Climatic Change and HV. Most climate impacts were found to be water-related, meaning, interventions to address water challenges can boost energy and food production. This will enable policymakers to allocate resources for positive results.

Improvement of Elderly Welfare Through Food Program

The general background increasing number of elderly in society requires effective welfare programs to meet their specific needs. Specific background in Indonesia, the Food Program of the Ministry of Social Affairs aims to provide essential nutritional support for this demographic group. Knowledge gap although this program has been implemented, there is still a lack of comprehensive analysis regarding its effectiveness and reach, especially in the Sidoarjo District. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by evaluating the program through descriptive qualitative methods, including observation and interviews. Results findings indicate that the implementers' understanding of the program has improved due to socialization activities. Positive changes have been recorded among beneficiaries, demonstrating the program's potential to improve the welfare of the elderly. The novelty of this study lies in the comprehensive assessment of the components of the Food Program. Implications these findings can serve as a guide for improving and adapting social welfare programs in the future, emphasizing the importance of addressing the welfare of the elderly in community development initiatives. Highlights: Improved understanding of the Food Program through socialization activities. Need to increase the number of eligible elderly beneficiaries. Program meets health standards, indicating successful food provision. Keywords: Program, Food, Social, Effectiveness, Welfare

Social contribution on payroll and exemption from food allowance

This article aims to explore the legal indeterminacy surrounding the possibility of free transit of credits between meal vouchers and food vouchers and its impact on the exemption of social contributions on payroll. Employing the Logical-Semantic Constructivism method and foundations from the philosophy of language, the article seeks to clarify whether this practice affects eligibility for exemption. Initially, the article underscores the importance of revisiting the interpretation given to the tax benefit, considering new business models and in light of changes in labor relations, such as the increase in remote work. Companies that offer meal and food vouchers are important partners for employers, facilitating the provision of food benefits to employees. A rigorous analysis of legal language is emphasized to ensure scientific accuracy. The legal norm is discussed from two perspectives: a broad sense (propositions derived from legal statements) and a strict sense (propositions structured in hypothetical-conditional judgments capable of regulating intersubjective conduct). It analyzes the norm that establishes the social contribution on payroll, identifying its five criteria (material, spatial, temporal, personal, and quantitative). The material criterion is defined as the provision of remuneration in exchange for work performed. The tax base is the total remuneration paid to employees. The article discusses the exemption of food assistance as provided by legislation (CLT and Law 8,212/91), which excludes the social security contribution on in natura food provided to workers. The legislation allows food assistance to be offered through vouchers, provided they are used exclusively for the purchase of food. Federal Decree No. 10,854/2021 is analyzed to explain the necessity of keeping funds in separate accounts and ensuring their exclusive use for food, prohibiting withdrawals or transfers to accounts not linked to the Worker’s Food Program (PAT). The article concludes that the free transfer of credits between meal and food vouchers does not affect the exemption of food assistance, as long as the funds are used exclusively for the purchase of in natura food. Subordinate legislation does not impose significant restrictions on this practice, and even if it did, it could not supersede higher normative provisions that grant the exemption. Thus, the arrangement between meal and food credits does not limit the exemption from social contributions on payroll.

Retrofitting food and nutrition programmes to curb the global syndemic of undernutrition, obesity and climate change

Retrofitting food and nutrition programmes to curb the global syndemic of undernutrition, obesity and climate change

SNAP-Ed Supporting Innovative Nutrition Education for American Indian and Indigenous-Serving Organizations in Colorado

BackgroundSNAP-Education (SNAP-Ed) is the nutrition education component of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). ObjectiveTo elucidate the experiences of three Colorado-based, American Indian or Indigenous-led organizations who engaged in a SNAP-Ed pilot funding project in FY2022. MethodsAn instrumental, single case-study design was employed to conduct this evaluation. The multi-phase method evaluation included: listening sessions (n=8 Indigenous-serving organizations), invited request for proposals, pilot award funding (n=3 awarded organizations), and longitudinal, storytelling-based qualitative data collection during the funding cycle. ResultsThere are many ongoing food and nutrition education programs serving Indigenous/American Indian peoples in Colorado, which largely promote wellness and healing through traditional cultural practices and are not overtly framed as “nutrition education.” Two salient themes emerged: 1) defining and describing Indigenized, decolonized nutrition education; and 2) description of experiences working with SNAP-Ed funding during FY2022, including challenges and future opportunities. ConclusionsTo effectively address the priority area for SNAP-Ed funding to reach Tribal communities in each state, understanding the perspectives of Tribal and Indigenous-led communities who are new to SNAP-Ed funding is prudent. Next steps to continued co-creation of SNAP-Ed opportunities in Indigenous spaces include educating funders and policymakers on Indigenous ways of knowing; traditional food and nutrition practices; and importance of relationality, land, healing, and other Indigenous values. Determining the “success” of a program (e.g., program evaluation) needs to be defined by the community itself.