Concept of food security
Food security means that:

• all people at all times have both physical and economic access to enough food for an active, healthy life;
• the ways in which food is produced and distributed are respectful of the natural processes of the earth and thus sustainable;
• both the consumption and production of food are governed by social values that are just and equitable as well as moral and ethical;
• the ability to acquire food is ensured;
• the food itself is nutritionally adequate and personally and culturally acceptable; and
• the food is obtained in a manner that upholds human dignity.

Vegetables and fruits provide protection
WHO recommends an intake of more than 400g of vegetables (in addition to potatoes) and fruits per day. Vegetables and fruits protect against cardiovascular diseases and cancers. But only 17 countries in the WHO European Region had enough fruits and vegetables available to meet this recommendation in 2003 (see graph).

WHO and FAO launched a joint Fruit and Vegetable Promotion Initiative in November 2003, which provides recommendations for the promotion of fruit and vegetables and guidance to countries wishing to initiate fruit and vegetable promotion programmes.

Urban and peri-urban food and nutrition action plan
To assist Member States to develop strategies to promote local production of healthy foods for local consumption, thereby ensuring availability of fruits and vegetables (food security), WHO has developed an urban and peri-urban food and nutrition action plan.