Important strides have been made recently in upgrading the global food aid agenda in line with evolving medical and nutrition sciences, operational experience, and innovations in food technology. A 2011 report endorsed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recommended numerous improvements to products intended to support improved survival and nutrition in humanitarian programming, as well as greater rigor and transparency in the research agenda that supports innovations in this critical field. This article reviews progress since 2011 made by USAID, and other global food aid providers, in developing food aid products that are fit-for-purpose and are appropriately formulated to save lives in emergencies and to promote healthy mothers and children in nonemergency contexts. It highlights important modifications and addition made to products and identifies persisting knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in future research.

Background: Global food insecurity persists despite continued international attention, necessitating evidence-based food assistance interventions that adequately address nutritional concerns. In June 2018, the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Food for Peace through the Food Aid Quality Review (FAQR) project sponsored a “Food Assistance for Nutrition Evidence Summit” to share evidence relevant to policy and programmatic decision-making and to identify critical evidence gaps. Objective: This article presents 4 priority areas to advance nutrition in the international food assistance agenda generated through presentations and discussions with the food assistance community at the Evidence Summit. Methods: Priority areas were identified after the Evidence Summit using a combination of FAQR team discussions, review of presentations and official notes, and supporting literature. Results: Key priority areas to advance nutrition in the international food assistance agenda are as follows: (1) increase research funding for food assistance in all contexts, paying particular attention to emergency settings; (2) research and adopt innovative ingredients, technology, and delivery strategies in food assistance products and programs that encourage long-term well-being; (3) redefine and expand indicators of nutritional status to capture contextual information about the outcomes of food assistance interventions; and (4) augment communication and collaboration across the food assistance ecosystem. Conclusions: These priorities are critical in a time of increased humanitarian need and will be key to fostering long-term resilience among vulnerable groups.

Rogers (2018) Self-report vs. direct measures for assessing corn soy blend porridge preparation and feeding behavior in a moderate acute malnutrition treatment program in southern Malawi,

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