A leading economist recently stated that "food security may be the defining global challenge of the Century." And in underscoring the importance of social protection, the head of an international organization declared that "[w]e must recognize, share, scale up and build on these successful...

This book addresses the thorny and fascinating question of how food and voucher programs, despite theory and evidence generally favoring cash, remain relevant, have evolved, and, in most circumstances, have improved over time. In doing so, we take an evolutionary and pragmatic view; we are...

"Cover" -- "Title" -- "Copyright" -- "Contents" -- "Preface" -- "Acknowledgments" -- "About the Editors and Authors" -- "Abbreviations" -- "Chapter 1 The Evolution of Food as Social Assistance: An Overview" -- "Introduction" -- "Unbundling Food-Based Social Assistance" -- "Broad Directions of...

Most of the people in low and middle-income countries covered by social protection receive assistance in the form of in-kind food. The origin of such support is rooted in countries' historical pursuit of three interconnected objectives, namely attaining self-sufficiency in food, managing...