The way we produce, process, consume and waste food has consequences for food security, public health, the environment, the economy and social equality. Given the rapidly growing world population, which threatens to exceed our planet's carrying capacity, and the increase in both obesity and hunger and malnutrition, it has become clear that our current food system is not future-proof. To contribute to an effective transition to a sustainable food system, strategic cooperation between all Dutch Diamond actors (government, businesses, civil society and knowledge institutions) is needed more than ever. As the world's second largest exporter of agricultural products and a leader in agricultural innovation, the Netherlands is in a unique position to support the transition to a fair and sustainable food system.

What we do 
Over the years, foodFIRST has built a reputation as an effective organiser for bringing together a wide range of actors who, based on their mission and expertise, are committed to working together to eradicate poverty, hunger and malnutrition in the world. By facilitating dialogue and connecting expertise, we aim to inspire our partners to think outside the box and seize opportunities to devise innovative and scalable solutions aimed at achieving SDG 1: ending all forms of (extreme) poverty, and SDG 2: ending hunger, achieving food security and sustainable agriculture. FoodFIRST focuses in particular on stimulating “agripreneurship” and the professionalisation of African smallholders and small to medium-sized agribusinesses. FoodFIRST organises about five round tables (the so-called Vijverberg sessions) per year.

Who we work with 
foodFIRST was founded in 2011 to fulfil this mission and offers an independent platform where new policy approaches can be developed for use by Dutch policy and development actors. The foodFIRST coalition reflects the Dutch Diamond actors and includes the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands Food Partnership, Wageningen University and Research, ECDPM, Rabobank, Cordaid/ICCO and Agriterra.

Want to know more?
More information or questions about this program? Visit the programme website: www.foodfirst.eu
Or contact via foodfirst@socires.nl.