Apia, Samoa: The Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) jointly held a workshop today to mark the launch of a Cost of the Diet analysis in Samoa. The initiative aims to identify nutrient gaps and enhance decision-making to improve access to healthy, nutritious diets for the Samoan population, with a focus on the most vulnerable.
“Reshaping food systems to nourish populations—rather than merely addressing hunger—requires that we focus on making healthy diets available, accessible, affordable, desirable, and environmentally sustainable. No single actor can achieve this transformation alone. It is vital that we work together to tackle these challenges head-on,” said MAF Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fiu Sailo Pa’o.
The analysis, which combines secondary data, advanced software, and multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement to identify barriers and solutions for sustainable and healthy diets, is part of Samoa’s broader efforts to transform its national food systems and improve the nutritional well-being of its citizens.
“This analysis,” said Themba Kalua, Resident Coordinator for Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, “is not just a snapshot of Samoa’s current nutrition situation. It is a robust, collaborative process that seeks to identify and address the barriers preventing access to healthy and nutritious food. By analysing these barriers, we can develop policies and programmes that ensure nutritious food is not only accessible but also sustainable, equitable, and aligned with the needs of Samoan communities.”
By leveraging existing data from the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) and other sources, the project will generate findings that are both relevant and actionable. It aims to inform government policies and programme designs across key sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and social protection, while addressing the dual challenges of undernutrition and overnutrition within Samoa’s unique dietary and nutritional context.
“The Cost of the Diet analysis underscores the value of strong partnerships between WFP and the Government of Samoa. By working together to generate evidence, we can enhance decision-making and strengthen Samoa’s food systems. This collaborative effort ensures that policies and programmes are informed by data, enabling targeted interventions that improve access to healthy diets and build resilience for communities across Samoa,” said Alpha Bah, WFP Representative and Country Director for the Pacific.
The workshop facilitated dialogue on preliminary findings and potential strategies for addressing dietary challenges in Samoa. It also established a roadmap for the next steps, including modelling interventions to improve nutrition through food systems, social protection programmes and education initiatives. This initiative underscores the shared commitment of the Government of Samoa and WFP to improve food security and nutrition for all Samoans.
The initiative is a key deliverable under a US$ 328,000 programme funded by the Joint SDG Fund, entitled Catalyzing the Samoa National Food Systems Transformation Agenda Through Collective Action implemented in partnership with FAO and IFAD. The programme supports Samoa’s efforts to improve food security and nutrition.
About the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural and fisheries practices to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of Samoan communities.
About WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
For more information, please contact:
- Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries:
Ms Matatumua Taimalietane Matatumua, Assistant Chief Executive Officer: [email protected] - World Food Programme Pacific Multi-Country Office: [email protected]
Mr Jorge D. Díaz, Head of Partnerships and Communications: [email protected]
