Purpose: The Food and Agricultural Organization was founded with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity; and to better the condition of rural populations.

Date of Origin: October, 1945

Original Membership: 44 countries

Accomplishments:

Working to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, and improved nutrition.

Active in land and water development, plant and animal production, forestry, fisheries, economic and social policy, investment, nutrition, food standards and commodities and trade.

FAO's Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) monitors the crop and food outlook at global and national levels to detect emerging food shortages and assess possible emergency food requirements.

Location: Rome, Italy