Enhancing Food Security Through Sustainable Diets and Postharvest Innovation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Integrating sustainable diets and food systems governance is crucial for addressing malnutrition, responsible for about 45% of under-five deaths worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Effective governance of food systems can enhance nutritional outcomes and reduce food loss, with post-harvest technology and innovative processing techniques playing a key role.

Exploring advancements in these areas can improve nutritional quality and safety, empowering smallholder farmers and food industries to create value-added, nutritious products, thereby strengthening food and nutrition security. This research collection will examine the links between sustainable diets, food systems governance, and post-harvest innovations, contributing to global efforts to combat malnutrition and promote healthier, more sustainable food systems.

Integrating sustainable diets and food systems governance is also vital for reducing food loss and waste, notably in low- and middle-income countries. Inefficient handling, inadequate storage, and limited access to modern processing techniques lead to food deterioration and economic losses, worsening food insecurity. Many stakeholders struggle with a lack of knowledge to implement effective post-harvest practices. Recent advancements, such as innovative storage solutions, non-thermal processing techniques, and biodegradable packaging, are essential for improving food security and empowering stakeholders. Applications that assist farmers and traders in monitoring produce quality and connecting with markets are also crucial. Innovations like high-pressure processing and pulsed electric fields help preserve nutritional value, while automation improves efficiency. Examining how stakeholders can efficiently use these technologies to enhance food quality and reduce loss can create a more sustainable food industry that meets consumer demand for healthier options, ultimately contributing to more sustainable systems.

Furthermore, women play a pivotal role in food processing, particularly in LMICs, where they are heavily involved in both formal and informal sectors, including street food vending. In many LMICs, food processing activities are predominantly carried out by women, offering vital income-generating opportunities while also providing affordable and accessible food options for urban populations. Hence, strengthening the capacity of women food vendors through improved access to processing technologies, food safety training, and innovative postharvest solutions can significantly reduce food loss, improve food quality, and contribute to more resilient and sustainable urban food systems.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses the intersection of sustainable diets, food systems governance, post-harvest technology, and innovative processing techniques, focusing on enhancing nutritional quality and reducing food loss. It also considers the need for gender-sensitive approaches in food system interventions.
Contributors are encouraged to explore:

• Strategies and technologies for minimizing quantitative and qualitative food loss (macro and micro nutrient loss) at supply chain stages, including smart storage solutions and packaging innovations.
• Innovative processing techniques and their impact on food quality and safety.
• Development of sustainable processing technologies that reduce energy consumption and waste.
• Research on food safety protocols and quality assurance in post-harvest and processing stages.
• The role of supportive policies and food system governance in promoting sustainable food systems and technologies.
• Consumer preferences for sustainable products and their impact on food systems.
• The role of nutrition education and awareness in promoting sustainable diets.
• Roles, challenges, and contributions of women in formal and informal food processing sectors in LMICs
• Development and dissemination of postharvest technologies that are accessible, affordable, and gender-responsive

Contributors are encouraged to explore various strategies and innovations that enhance these aspects for a comprehensive understanding of their implementation and impact.

Keywords: sustainable diets, food system, post-harvest, nutrient preservation, quantitative food loss reduction, qualitative food loss reduction, sustainable food product development

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.