Although rural households in Kenya rely on agricultural production for their livelihood, attaining food security is challenging in areas experiencing harsh agro-ecological conditions. We utilized mixed methods research to examine the effect of agricultural production, including that of traditional foods, on household food insecurity in Seme sub-County of Kenya. Study participants believed that traditional foods protected against hunger. However, production of these foods, with the exception of traditional vegetables, was low. Poultry-keeping; cereal/grain, any vegetable and traditional vegetable production; and crop diversity were significantly associated with lower household food insecurity. Vegetable production maintained statistical significance after controlling for other variables.

Objective: To examine mothers' and young children's consumption of indigenous and traditional foods (ITF), assess mothers' perception of factors that influence ITF consumption, and examine the relationship between perceived factors and ITF consumption. Design: Longitudinal study design across two agricultural seasons. Seven-day FFQ utilized to assess dietary intake. Mothers interviewed to assess their beliefs about amounts of ITF that they or their young children consumed and on factors that influence ITF consumption levels. Setting: Seme sub-County, Kenya. Participants: Mothers with young children. Results: Less than 60 % of mothers and children consumed ITF at time of assessment. Over 50 % of the mothers reported that their ITF consumption amounts and those of their children were below levels that mothers would have liked for themselves or for their young children. High cost, non-availability and poor taste were top three reasons for low ITF consumption levels. Mothers who identified high cost or non-availability as a reason for low levels of ITF consumption had significantly lower odds of consuming all ITF except amaranth leaves. Mothers who identified poor taste had significantly lower odds of consuming all ITF except green grams and groundnuts. Similar relationships were noted for young children's ITF consumption levels. Conclusions: A majority of the mothers reported that they and their children did not consume as much ITF as the mothers would have liked. Further studies should examine strategies to improve availability and affordability of ITF, as well as develop recipes that are acceptable to mothers and children.

World Medical & Health PolicyVolume 7, Issue 3 p. 298-299 Commentary The Elusive Goal of Eliminating Global Hunger: Progress and Challenge—Opening Remarks for the Summit on Global Food Security and Health at George Mason University's School of Policy, Government and International Affairs, October 16th, 2014 Phil Thomas, Phil ThomasSearch for more papers by this author Phil Thomas, Phil ThomasSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 September 2015 https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.146Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume7, Issue3Special Issue: Global Food Security and HealthSeptember 2015Pages 298-299 RelatedInformation

The elimination of global hunger has remained an elusive goal since the inception of the United Nations after World War II. This paper focuses on the current dimensions of global food insecurity and the evolution of a new consciousness of the problem within the Obama administration over the last several years. It describes recent multilateral and U.S. efforts to address global food security and the progress and challenges of the new 2010 U.S. global hunger initiative, “Feed the Future.”