Ensuring Production of and Access to Nutritious Foods for Complementary Feeding

About

Only 1 in 3 children aged 6-23 months achieve minimum dietary diversity globally. Most children eat monotonous diets lacking essential animal-source foods, vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables, and legumes critical for healthy growth and cognitive development. 
 
This advocacy brief presents the case for strengthening food systems to ensure production of and access to nutritious, safe, affordable, and sustainable foods for complementary feeding. When food production systems fail to prioritize nutrient-dense foods, when supply chains cannot preserve and deliver perishable foods, and when markets make nutritious foods unavailable or unaffordable, young children cannot access the diverse diets they need. 
 
Evidence shows properly designed food supply interventions can improve young children's diets. Livestock interventions in Africa nearly doubled the odds of achieving minimum dietary diversity. Biofortification increased vitamin A intake by 53-78% in some settings. Home gardening and nutrition-sensitive agriculture consistently improve diet diversity when coupled with nutrition education. 
 
The brief calls for action across three levels: production (prioritizing locally available nutrient-dense foods, biodiversity-friendly farming); processing and supply chains (reducing waste, improving storage and transport); and market access (strengthening community markets, supporting women vendors, linking social protection with local procurement). 
 
Stakeholder-specific recommendations are provided for government leaders, development partners, and private sector actors to transform food systems for children aged 6-23 months. 

Developed by the Global Complementary Feeding Collective, a multi-stakeholder partnership working to improve complementary feeding practices and outcomes for children aged 6-23 months worldwide. This advocacy brief synthesizes evidence on food systems interventions and provides actionable recommendations for governments, development partners, and private sector actors to ensure all young children can access the nutritious foods they need for optimal growth and development.