Some experts consider ​“food” as the most critical issue of the 21^st century. Countries such as India are experiencing what has been described as a triple burden of malnutrition – characterised by high prevalence of undernutrition, obesity, and micro-nutrient deficiency. These are a result of inadequate access to healthy foods, increased use of highly processed foods, and low dietary diversity, besides factors related to sanitation. Changes in the practice of agriculture has resulted in a reduction in agrobiodiversity. The challenges to accessing food during shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in various parts of the world demonstrated the importance of local food security and reminded people of the importance of local food sources, including uncultivated or wild foods.

Authors:

Adithya Pradyumna, 
Sudha Nagavarapu, 
Sorappalli M Chandrashekar, 
Shashiraj Haratale, 
Muskan Babajan and 
Communities of Chintamani