Food Systems

What we do

UNDP Food Systems works in a holistic manner, considering Food and Agricultural Systems as part of an interlinked, complex global system. Therefore, any attempt to tackle the crises in food and agricultural commodity production must take a systems approach and address multiple issues and multiple aspects of the issues, together.

Following this approach, UNDP Food Systems focuses on 3 key areas. Click on the images below to discover them:

Food Systems Transformation

Forest Positive Agriculture

Sustainable Production Landscapes

Behind every initiative and every result is a shared Theory of Change
—our framework for how lasting transformation happens.

Food systems are at the heart of the world's greatest challenges. Nearly 800 million people go to bed hungry, while over 2 billion suffer from obesity and diet-related diseases, and the same systems driving hunger are also driving climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality. These challenges cannot be solved in isolation.

By strengthening governance, aligning policies with climate and nature goals, and unlocking sustainable finance, countries can transform their food systems to be resilient, sustainable, and equitable.

Hot off the Press

Stories, publications and moments shaping food systems transformation—from the communities where change is happening to the global conversations driving it forward.

Upcoming event

Global Conscious Food Systems Summit Bhutan | 31 August - 4 September

Under the leadership of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Conscious Food Systems Alliance, the first Global Conscious Food Systems Summit will advance a new paradigm for food systems transformation—one which recognises the vital role of culture, values, spirituality, happiness and inner development in catalysing systemic change.

This landmark gathering will weave inspiring testimonies, interactive dialogues, and heart-to-heart connections with consciousness practices and practical learning, demonstrating how aligning our decisions with our deepest values can translate into tangible food systems change. The Summit will give rise to a Framework for Conscious Food Systems, rooted in a shared vision, guiding principles, case studies, and key lessons, alongside recommendations to help guide collective action.

Visit www.consciousfoodsummit.com for more information.

Learn more

Latest publication

Green Commodities Programme - Impact Briefs

This series of three Impact Briefs showcases the reach and contribution of UNDP’s Food Systems team to change and transformation in food and commodity sectors. They aim to inspire learning exchange between stakeholders and project communities around the world.

Effective Collaborative Action. Contribution and impact of UNDP’s multi-stakeholder action for sustainable commodity production and trade. It explains how to build collaborative action among multiple stakeholders.
Private Sector and Collaborative Action to Transform Commodity Sectors and Production Landscapes. Built on the results of a survey of commodity companies, the brief shows how private sector actors are stepping up their commitment and contribution to commodity sustainability.
The Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems Community. Impact lessons from its decade-long construction of a vibrant community of practitioners who collectively build knowledge and exchange lessons.

Initiative of the month

Fit for FAIR

Coffee sustains the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers in Rwanda and plays a critical role in the country’s economy. However, the sector faces growing challenges—from low productivity and volatile global prices to increasing pressure from international due diligence regulations.

Fit for FAIR supports Rwanda’s coffee sector in navigating this transition by fostering collaboration, strengthening systems, and enabling stakeholders to meet emerging global requirements while protecting farmer livelihoods.