How does FAO contribute to urban food security and safety?
Traditionally FAO has assisted central governments in enhancing food security, mostly in rural areas, by improving production and marketing systems, identifying vulnerable groups, forecasting production levels and creating early warning systems to assess food shortages. For a long time, FAO has also been involved in food safety for example, with assistance to reduce food contamination both at production level, with advice on the appropriate use of fertilizers, pesticides and so forth, and at the street level, with advice on how to assure proper hygiene when handling prepared meals or snacks that are sold on the streets. During the last few years, FAO has also been concentrating on the role of local authorities, who have traditionally been forgotten partners but who have a tremendous impact on food security at local level. FAO is now able to provide much-needed technical assistance to local governments so that they can perform better today and be prepared for tomorrow.
