In 2009, the European Union joined FAO in its efforts to turn the tide of growing hunger in the world by boosting agricultural production with massive support for global food security through its ‘Food Facility’. The global food crisis, spurred on by soaring food prices in 2007 and 2008, was a wake-up call to the international community to get agriculture back on track in the fight against poverty and hunger. The ‘Food Facility’ is the EU’s ˆ1 billion response to the food crisis. This two-year initiative aims to help developing countries soften the blow of high food prices and move towards long-term food security. Over ˆ 200 million ($ 285 million) will be channelled through FAO for operations in twenty-five countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Although international food prices have come down from their 2008 peaks, they are higher than they were in 2006, and the risk of volatility continues. In many low-income countries, food prices remain stubbornly high, while the downturn in the global economy is making food even less accessible to the world’s poor. The Food Facility targets the transition period from emergency aid to longer-term development. Set up in close collaboration with the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis and FAO it focuses on programmes that will have a quick, but lasting impact on food security. From 2009 until 2011, activities under the Food Facility will centre on improving farmers’ access to quality inputs and services; boosting agricultural production through such measures as micro-credit schemes, improved rural infrastructure and support for farmers’ organisations; and providing safety nets to vulnerable groups. These projects are embedded within government policies and strategies for food security and poverty reduction, and are in line with government programmes to address the food price crisis. Specific FAO projects funded under the Food Facility include: expanding certified seed production; ensuring access to quality inputs and appropriate extension; strengthening existing farmer-based organizations; improving storage infrastructure; facilitating linkages to markets; establishing and strengthening community-managed irrigation schemes; increasing livestock production; promoting natural resource management.