Food security has been understood by many as when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (FAO, 1996). This definition implies that the ability of a household to acquire sufficient food does not necessarily guarantee adequate nutrition and dietary needs of the body. Thus, even in the absence of hunger, the population may suffer from the lack of essential micronutrients, often referred to as hidden hunger. According to UNICEF and the Micronutrient Initiative, as many as a third of the world's population do not meet their physical and intellectual potential because of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The WHO (2002), also stresses that approximately 1.7 million (2.8%) of death worldwide are attributed to low fruit and vegetable consumption, partly related to unavailability or inaccessibility of commonly consumed fruits and vegetables believed to contain essential micro-nutrients.

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