FAO Report Linked Forests to Global Food Security
A new report highlights how forest resources sustain billions as chronic hunger persists worldwide.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Should governments better integrate forest management into national policies to help improve global food security?
The Food and Agriculture Organization published a report outlining the essential role forests play in sustaining human life, noting that over 5 billion people depend on them for their livelihoods. This release arrives as 645 million people faced chronic hunger in 2025.
Why it matters
Conserving and managing forests is fundamental to nourishing people and sustaining the planet. These ecosystems provide vital services, from direct food sources to water regulation, for communities around the globe.
Forests provide habitat for over 50,000 wild species used for food and medicine, with 10,000 species consumed directly as food. Additionally, 1.8 billion people rely on woodfuel for cooking, and 85 percent of major cities source water from forested watersheds.
The players
Food and Agriculture Organization
This specialized agency of the United Nations leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
The details
Forests offer a diverse range of nutrients including fruits, nuts, tubers, mushrooms, and edible insects. Beyond direct food consumption, these ecosystems maintain environmental stability through soil protection, nutrient cycling, pollination, and pest control.
Timeline
The Committee on World Food Security issued forestry policy recommendations in 2017.
Around 645 million people experienced chronic hunger in 2025.
The world lost an average of 10.9 million hectares of forest each year over the last decade.
The FAO published its report on forests and food security in September 2026.
Roadmap
The report builds upon the Committee on World Food Security's 2017 forestry policy recommendations by providing updated global metrics. It tracks progress toward sustainable land management goals originally set by international policy bodies nearly a decade ago.
Readers may see increased integration of forest-sourced products in local markets as global food security strategies evolve. This shift emphasizes the importance of supporting sustainable food sources that rely on preserved forested watersheds and ecosystems.
The takeaway
Forests are not just environmental resources but critical pillars of global food security that support billions of people. Maintaining these ecosystems is essential for ensuring access to water, medicine, and food in the coming years.
Further reading
Learn more about sustainable food systems by visiting our Organic Food section.
Live Poll
Should governments better integrate forest management into national policies to help improve global food security?
