This paper explains how WFP uses food aid to support nutrition programming, and defines strategic directions to ensure greater effectiveness and impact. Building on recent field evidence and reviews of best practice, as well as consultations with United Nations and other partners in nutrition, this paper highlights links between nutrition and overall development goals, takes stock of WFP.s current nutrition activities, defines areas for expansion and intensification of activities and considers challenges to be overcome in mainstreaming nutrition in WFP.