Alternative futures for the Pacific food system

Abstract

The food system of the Pacific region is undergoing profound changes that will be felt for generations. The main pillars of food security – availability, access, and consumption of nutritious food – are being challenged by rapid population growth and urbanisation, shortages of arable land, and cheap, nutritionally poor food imports from burgeoning global trade. As a result, many Pacific Island countries and territories are now dependent on imported food, and the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is among the highest in the world.