Costa Rica’s transformation of agri‑food systems has moved from theory to practice, with cantons such as Buenos Aires and Guatuso demonstrating how integrated, nutrition‑sensitive approaches can improve diets, strengthen local economies, and advance the right to adequate food. These territories, rich in agricultural potential and cultural heritage, face persistent challenges including malnutrition and food insecurity, with Guatuso’s rates exceeding the national average. Addressing these issues requires coordinated action linking nutrition, sustainable production, governance, climate resilience, and community leadership.
In 2025, the joint initiative “Empowering Communities in Sustainable Agri‑food Systems” was launched with support from the Joint SDG Fund, FAO, UNICEF, and national institutions. Built on community collaboration, the programme engaged nearly 180 people in training and reached 250 through awareness activities. Women, youth, indigenous peoples, and local leaders have played central roles in shaping solutions, ensuring that interventions reflect cultural practices and territorial priorities.
Through capacity strengthening, families and smallholder farmers improved production practices and dietary habits, reinforcing local food supply chains and encouraging consumption of nutritious, locally produced foods. This dual impact has enhanced nutrition outcomes while stimulating local economies and resilience. The initiative also highlighted the importance of multi‑stakeholder partnerships, with ministries, schools, community organizations, and development partners co‑designing practical solutions that respond to real needs.
The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has been instrumental in aligning nutrition priorities across sectors. In 2024, SUN convened national and local stakeholders for a workshop on agri‑food systems transformation, building technical capacity to design nutrition‑sensitive, climate‑resilient food strategies. Concrete actions emerged to promote healthy diets, strengthen local food systems, and explore climate finance opportunities.
Today, the programme continues to provide technical support in both cantons, including studies of local produce markets to inform public policy. Territorial and health policies now prioritize agri‑food systems and nutrition, with coordination across ministries and municipalities ensuring sustainability despite funding constraints.
By empowering communities to lead their own development, Costa Rica’s initiative contributes directly to the 2030 Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 2 on Zero Hunger. It demonstrates how locally driven, multisectoral collaboration can build healthier diets, resilient economies, and inclusive food systems for the future.
