Strengthening Diets and Food Systems in Low-to-Middle Income Countries
Granja Tepeyac - Georgina Gutiérrez
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Overview
Overview
Our story highlights dairy's critical role in enhancing diets and strengthening food systems, especially for low-to-middle income families. We're addressing pervasive challenges like malnutrition and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity, this is personally important for me as a Mexican. Dairy offers an accessible, affordable, and nutrient-dense solution, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein often lacking in other food sources. Its diverse forms also allow for culturally relevant and convenient nutritional choices.
Beyond individual health, dairy production empowers women. As a female dairy farmer, I've seen how owning cattle provides women in less privileged areas with economic autonomy. This directly translates to better family nutrition, as women often prioritize dairy consumption for their households. Our ambition is to champion dairy as a sustainable, affordable, and nutritious ally that supports public health, combats NCDs, and fosters gender equality across global food systems.
Key actors
Key actors
Low-to-Middle Income Families: The primary beneficiaries, whose nutritional well-being and economic stability are directly impacted by improved access to and understanding of dairy.
Dairy Farmers (especially women): The backbone of dairy production, particularly women farmers who gain economic empowerment and influence family nutrition.
Dairy Processors and Retailers: Essential for ensuring the accessibility, affordability, safety and variety of dairy products in diverse food environments.
Public Health Organizations and Policymakers: Crucial for advocating for dairy's role in addressing malnutrition and NCDs, and for creating supportive food policies.
Nutritionists and Healthcare Professionals: Key in educating communities about dairy's health benefits and its role in balanced diets.
Alignment with EAT-Lancet Commission
Alignment with EAT-Lancet Commission
Our story aligns with EAT-Lancet by focusing on healthy diets and food system transformation. While promoting a diverse diet, it emphasizes dairy's vital role in achieving nutritional adequacy for low-to-middle income families, directly combating malnutrition and preventing NCDs like Type 2 diabetes and obesity—key EAT-Lancet health goals. Furthermore, it champions social equity by highlighting women's empowerment through dairy farming, a crucial aspect of sustainable food systems.
Progress is evident through:
Reduced prevalence of NCDs (e.g., Type 2 diabetes, obesity) in target communities.
Improved dietary diversity and micronutrient intake among vulnerable families.
Increased women's participation and decision-making power in dairy value chains.
Enhanced household food security for dairy-farming families.
Lessons learned
Lessons learned
Dairy's multifaceted impact, extending beyond just nutrition. This shows how an accessible food source can be a powerful catalyst for women's empowerment, particularly in less privileged areas, like where I live. By enabling women to own cattle and make business decisions, dairy farming doesn't just improve family diets; it fundamentally shifts power dynamics, leading to broader socio-economic benefits and a more equitable future.
Next steps
Next steps
Talk to the farmers: We need our voices to be heard. We are doing the best we can, with the resources and knowledge we have, adapting every day to new challenges.
Pilot Expansion: Develop and scale community-led programs that integrate dairy into nutrition education and support women dairy entrepreneurs. An example can be Dairy Nourishes Africa.
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with international development organizations, government agencies (health, agriculture), and dairy industry associations for funding and implementation.
Advocacy: Engage policymakers to integrate dairy's role into national nutrition strategies and women's economic development plans.
For more information contact: Georgina Gutiérrez at gina.gut@gmail.com
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