Missing information in the existing literature
As new research is published, we track where knowledge gaps are filled, what questions remain, and what new questions emerge.
Research gaps in food aid that we're monitoring:
Acceptability
Which food products do recipients enjoy eating and have the fewest side effects?
– How well does a food aid product align with children's taste preferences?
Composition
Which ingredients offer the best prevention or treatment for undernutrition?
– Do animal or plant proteins lead to better growth outcomes? – What is the minimum quantity of protein to achieve desired nutrition outcomes? – Do cereal or lipid-based products have better outcomes?
Cost
What are the relative costs and outcomes of different food aid products or programs?
– Which products are the most effective at improving nutritional outcomes and cost the least?
Effectiveness
How well do different food compositions and interventions prevent or treat undernutrition, when implemented “on the ground”?
Efficacy
How well do different food compositions and interventions prevent or treat undernutrition, when implemented in a completely controlled environment?
Innovation
What novel food-based products and programming methods effectively prevent and treat undernutrition?
– Are cash transfers better than food aid alone? – Does including a behavior change communication aspect in food aid programs lead to better outcomes? – Can locally produced foods reduce undernutrition?
Use
How are supplementary foods dispersed and shared within a household or community? How does their actual use differ from intended use?