Food and Nutrition Council (FNC)

Introduction
The aims and objectives of the Food and Nutrition Council are:

• To promote a cohesive national response to household food insecurity and malnutrition.
• To coordinate and harmonize inter-sectoral implementation of food and nutrition relevant policies and programmes by stakeholders

Vision
Every Zimbabwean free from hunger and malnutrition

Mission Statement
The food and Nutrition Council is committed to promoting awareness, provide information, monitor and evaluate food and nutrition situation in Zimbabwe in a professional and ethical manner, setting locally acceptable and internationally recognized standards for nutritional products, diligently testing and certifying for compliance.

Mandate
The FNC’s mandate is to promote a cohesive national response to the prevailing household food insecurity and malnutrition through coordinated multi-sectoral action.

Core Business

• Monitoring the Food and Nutrition Situation (Surveillance): To provide food and nutrition information that is credible, scientific and current, to better inform decision and policy makers.
• Policy Analyses to Assess Impact of different policies on Food Security and Nutrition: To place food and nutrition issues on the development agenda by analyzing the impact of priority national policies and strategies on food security and nutrition outcomes and make recommendations to relevant organizations.
• Advocacy and Information, Education and Communication: To create and maintain national interest and awareness in the food and nutrition situation and how it can be addressed through appropriate and coordinated inter-sectoral action.
• Programme Development: To develop and promote food and nutrition programming systems and processes, that facilitate and coordinate inter-sectoral action in programme implementation at all levels as well as maximizing utilization of the available resources.
• Development of Nutrition standards and Monitoring Compliance: To promote nutrition standards through optimal dietary intake and healthy lifestyles thereby protecting the Zimbabwean Consumer
• Conduct Applied research in Food and Nutrition Issues
• To conduct applied research for improved food and nutrition programming and service delivery
• To conduct applied research on traditional drought coping strategies
• To carry out applied research on improving existing emergency humanitarian responses

Achievements

• The Council produced a vulnerability assessment and Nutrition status report that helps the relevant authorities to plan for social services requirements and food imports.
• The 2007 Vulnerability Assessment Report was used to allocate supplementary budget for Drought Relief programme
• Developed a training manual for community works to improve processing, preparation and consuming a healthy diet
• Raised public awareness on value of indigenous foods in nutrition and health through the hosting of the Inaugural Food Fair and outreach programmes.
• Cabinet decision on 31 May 2005 for Government to fund the assessments
• Empowered chiefs with information on the results of the evaluation of the Zunde Ramambo that will enable the traditional leaders to play an informed role in addressing problems of food insecurity and malnutrition in their communities.
• The Council produced the Pilot Sentinel Food and Nutrition Surveillance report that was submitted to Cabinet through the Poverty Eradication Social Services Development Action Cabinet Committee.

For Further Information Contact:
The Food and Nutrition Council of Zimbabwe (FNC)
Tel: + 263-4-860321-9     E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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