Co-developing faith-based food system interventions that contribute to national and global goals on food security and climate.

Challenges of malnutrition, hunger and food insecurity are among the most important issues facing the world today. More work is needed across all stages of the food system to accelerate progress toward national and global climate goals. Faith-based organizations — which have traditionally intervened in food education, nutrition programs and farming projects — are in a strong position to support this work thanks to their unique and enduring relationship with food.

Understanding their pivotal role in shaping societal norms and practices, particularly concerning food, WRI Faith and Sustainability is actively engaging with faith-based organizations to drive positive change within food systems. This includes:

  • Engaging in global dialogues on faith and food systems, most recently through the Food Pavilion and Faith Pavilion at COP28 in Dubai.
  • Exploring unique approaches of faith communities in sustainable food production and distribution with a special emphasis on empowering women farmers.
  • Highlighting the role values and culture play in securing equitable food futures, such as through existing rituals and beliefs around preparing and serving food.

WRI Faith and Sustainability has partnered with WRI Africa and the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) for a food systems intervention project in Rwanda. The project aims to operationalize and scale effective strategies for reducing food loss and waste, empowering faith organizations to play a significant role by promoting awareness, building capacity and shifting behaviors at both the operational and community levels.

If you are a faith actor interested in exploring opportunities to address food security issues in your community, we encourage you to contact any of our featured experts.

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Image by Axel Fassio/CIFOR-ICRAF/Flickr