Former Bioversity International Senior Nutritionist wins Carasso Foundation prize

Jessica Fanzo, former Senior Nutritionist at Bioversity International, has been recognized for her outstanding work on sustainable food and diets for long-term human health. The prize will be awarded by the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation  [2] at a prize ceremony in Madrid today.

Fanzo was a key contributor to Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity – Directions and Solutions for Policy, Research and Action  [3] published by Bioversity International and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO  [4]) earlier this year  [5].

This book was the result of work to reach a consensus on what constitutes a sustainable diet and the formulation of recommendations for promoting and applying such a concept in different agro-ecological zones, particularly in ways to benefit the rural poor.  Fanzo also oversaw the launch of Bioversity International’s Nutrition and Marketing Diversity programme  [6].

Commenting on the importance of this work, Emile Frison, Director General of Bioversity International said: “There is an urgent need to change the paradigm of agricultural production in order to integrate the dimension of nutritional quality in our decisions as to what to produce and where. This requires us to move beyond the major staples and to look at the many hundreds and thousands of neglected and underutilized plant and animal species that mean the difference between an unsustainable and a sustainable diet.”

Jessica Fanzo speaking today said: “I feel honoured to have been selected for the Carasso Premio. Not only does the Premio validate the work that I have been doing in nutrition but it highlights the work that many have contributed to sustainable diets - a timely and important area of work in global food security."  Fanzo is currently working as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the UN REACH Interagency Partnership   [7]to combat child hunger at the World Food Programme (WFP  [8]).

“I am extremely pleased with the recognition given to Jessica through this prize for her contribution to the development of the concept of sustainable diets while she was working for Bioversity International” Frison said. “This is a well deserved reward for Jessica’s dynamism and innovation and for her passion to make a difference in the fight against malnutrition”.

Bioversity International and partners are currently working with the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation to describe, measure and influence policy and programmes on sustainable diets with the goal of improving nutrition and health. Particular focus will be given to the development of metrics to reflect the multiple dimensions of a healthy and sustainable diet.

Bruce Cogill  [9], Director of Bioversity International’s Nutrition and Marketing Diversity Programme said: “Research into sustainable food and sustainable diets is not easy. We are reminded of this by our colleagues in economics, ecology and nutrition. Yet policies are being devised and consumers are demanding action. Research that Jessica has done while at Bioversity International and before and since has advanced our understanding on the sustainable diets agenda. The Carasso prize is innovative, significant and validates the work and vision of Jessica. We look forward to her work on sustainable diets in the future.”