Hunger has two facets: (1) Under nutrition which is primarily a calorie or energy deficit; and (2) malnutrition which is a deficit of one or more dietarily essential nutrients such as essential amino acids, vitamins and/or minerals.  People may eat sufficient calories and be malnourished. In rural communities, families often produce foods of high nutritional value and sell them to buy inexpensive but less nutritious foods. Thus, in order to overcome hunger it is necessary to not only address food production, but dietary consumption practices and health as well.

In its work the Benson Institute integrates the disciplines of agriculture, public health, appropriate technology and nutrition applying them with the poor and inadequately nourished families. Efforts focus on teaching families improved agricultural techniques to produce foods of high nutritional value. Families then learn how to integrate these foods into their daily diet and to maintain good public health practices in their homes.

The work of the Benson Institute centers on the theme of progress through education in rural development. Education is the primary focus of the Institute's activities because it assists people to become self-sufficient in addressing their food production problems, thereby making improvement efforts more sustainable.

The Benson Institute participates in education on two levels. First, the Institute supports local in-country university students in their research of agriculture, public health and nutrition. Second, students and Institute personnel work together to educate rural community residents about improved food production, public health and consumption habits.

To initiate improvement efforts in a rural community, the Benson Institute performs a diagnostic study assessing the nutritional, health and agricultural practices. Guided by the results of the diagnosis, local university students investigate the deficiencies in the community and define and teach solutions to these problems. By performing these investigations, the students fulfill the thesis investigation required for graduation and improve the lives of their own in-country poor.

Using the findings of their research, students create and teach lessons to the community members addressing the problems that they investigated. Through this process, university students are able to finish their graduation requirements while serving the rural people of the country. The students also gain invaluable service experience that encourages further development efforts.