“Fill the nutrient gap” diet modelling and situation analysis contributes to multisectoral policy and programme decision-making*

Abstract

This study examined how The World Food Programme’s Fill the Nutrient Gap (FNG) situation analysis has facilitated decision-making to support nutrition. Semi-structured interviews were held with 60 ‘broker’, ‘technical analyst’ and ‘consumer’ end users of the FNG in 11 countries. Almost all FNG cases, especially those conducted in 'development' contexts, had objectives of informing government decision-making, with some, especially in 'fragile' settings, also focused on informing WFP’s own programming. The FNG was credited with contributing evidence to national or sub-national nutrition strategy development, informing advocacy and building momentum and improving understanding around key nutrition issues. Internally, the FNG helped promote WFP’s nutrition-sensitive programming approaches. This article discusses these findings and explores how the FNG’s policy contribution could be strengthened in future applications.