Established by the United Nations in 1945 the FAO is a neutral organization.  It strives to provide information and support sustainable agriculture through legislation and national strategies, with the goal of alleviating hunger.  It contributes to international efforts to defeat hunger and improve local economies by helping its member countries modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fishery practices.  Therefore, instead of directly administering aid or food, it attempts to set up sustainable food sources, resources, and operational systems in nations.

The FAO is funded by industrialized countries and development banks, and often works through private-public partnerships

The FAO’s strategic objectives include:

• Help eliminate hunger, food security and malnutrition;
• Make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable;
• Reduce rural poverty;
• Enable inclusive and efficient agriculture and food systems;
• Increase resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises.