Brazil and Colombia Collaborate on Food Systems for Sustainable Development in Latin America

Strategic Insights -

Brazil and Colombia came together on August 27 to launch the national chapter of the project "Strengthening the Regional Agenda for Food Systems for the Urban-Rural Continuum in Latin America and the Caribbean." A webinar was held to promote dialogue among stakeholders and transform agrifood systems in the urban-rural context. The project is a partnership between the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Solidarity Kitchens Program and the Food for Cities Strategy in Brazil are being used as a reference by Colombia to address food security issues.
  • Michela Espinosa, senior specialist at FAO Colombia, highlighted the importance of building on Brazil's experience to strengthen food systems.
  • Lilian Rahal, national secretary of Food and Nutritional Security of the MDS, emphasized that Brazil's exit from the Hunger Map is a result of public policies focused on food security and President Lula's commitment to tackling hunger.
  • The webinar aimed to promote dialogue among stakeholders to transform agrifood systems in the urban-rural context and improve policies, programs, and initiatives that promote production, supply, access, and sustainable consumption of healthy foods.
  • The initiative is part of the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Program, which aims to improve food systems and address structural inequalities.
  • Approximately 34 million people (5.1% of the population) face hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen policies to ensure access to healthy and sustainable food.
  • Agrifood systems play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, but institutional fragmentation and lack of multisectoral governance have limited the ability of cities and rural regions to structure coordinated strategies.
  • The collaboration between governments, territories, academia, civil society, and international organizations marks a new step in the regional agenda, aiming to advance policies and practices that strengthen agrifood systems.

Statistics:

  • 34 million people (5.1% of the population) face hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • 202 million people suffer from hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean every year.
  • Brazil has exited the Hunger Map, announced by the FAO in July, due to public policies focused on food security.
  • The Food for Cities Strategy provides a model for cities and ways to address food security issues comprehensively.

Sources:

  • Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, Brazil
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • The Brazilian Cooperation Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ABC/MRE)
  • State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report
  • Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Program