Revalorizing Indigenous Foods for Sustainable Diets: Integrated Policy, Value-Chain Innovation, and Implementation Science for Achieving Food and Nutrition Security
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/jfdr.2026.6.1.2Keywords:
Indigenous foods; sustainable diets; food security; nutrition security; agroecology; food sovereignty; nutri tion-sensitive agriculture; value-chain innovation; implementation science; climate resilienceAbstract
The resurgence of indigenous foods has gained global attention as a strategic response to malnutrition, climate vul nerability, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable food systems. This review synthesizes evidence published between 2021 and 2026 to critically evaluate the role of indigenous food systems in advancing sustainable diets and nutrition security. A structured scoping review approach was adopted, drawing from databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Evidence indicates that integrated, systems-based interventions—such as institutional procurement, agroecological production, and nutrition-sensitive value chains—can improve dietary diversity by 15–30% in intervention settings, although robust biomarker-based evidence remains limited. While indigenous foods demonstrate strong potential for enhancing resilience and micronutrient intake, major gaps persist in longitudinal impact evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis, and governance frameworks. This review proposes an Integrated Indigenous Food Promotion Model linking production, processing, distribution, demand generation, and governance. Emerging research emphasizes implementation science, biomarker-based trials, and climate-resilient food systems. Strengthening methodological rigor, policy coherence, and community-led governance will be critical for scaling indigenous food systems as sustainable solutions for global nutrition security.
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