Food security, an important element of poverty reduction, is a one of the priority foci of German development cooperation with partner countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America / Caribbean. Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) has evolved significantly during the last decades in theory and practice. This overview provides some basic information about the current understanding on FNS. It serves as a reference point for exchanging experiences among all stakeholders involved in programs and projects, which foster policy and strategy development. It introduces the concepts of FNS and briefly illustrates operational instruments and processes. This overview is not a discussion of conceptual approaches, but a tool to bridge theory and practice and to stimulate discussions and innovations. It summarizes the holistic understanding of FNS.