About Us

The mission of the Institute for Food and Development Policy, better known as Food First, is to end the injustices that cause hunger.

Food First envisions a world in which all people have access to healthy, ecologically produced, and culturally appropriate food. After 40 years of analysis of the global food system, we know that making this vision a reality involves more than technical solutions—it requires political transformation. That’s why Food First supports activists, social movements, alliances, and coalitions working for systemic change. Our work—including action-oriented research, publications, and projects—gives you the tools to understand the global food system, build your local food movement, and engage with the global movement for food sovereignty.

As a “people’s think tank”, we are dedicated to ending the injustices that cause hunger and helping communities to take back control of their food systems. We advance our mission through three interrelated work areas: research, education and action. These work areas are designed to promote informed citizen engagement with the institutions and policies that control our food and to integrate local, national and global efforts. Informed by a vast network of activist-researchers, Food First’s analysis and educational resources support communities and social movements at the forefront of change in the food system.  Our work both informs and amplifies the voices, strategies, and solutions of social movements fighting for food justice and food sovereignty.

Our History

Founded in 1975 by Joseph Collins and Frances Moore Lappé—author of the revolutionary bestseller Diet for a Small Planet—Food First has been working to end the injustices that cause hunger since 1975. Since its first book, Food First: Beyond the Myth of Scarcity, Food First has gone on to publish over 60 books and hundreds of articles and research reports exposing the root causes of hunger and amplifying the voices of the communities and movements advancing real solutions.

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Our Team

Food First has a large network of committed activist-scholars who produce cutting-edge analysis and educational resources, and who work closely with community-based movements and organizations in their struggles for land, sustainability, health, economic justice, and a world free of racism, militarism and other forms of oppression.

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What We Do

Food First’s work is committed to growing food justice in North America, helping build the global food sovereignty movement, and advancing agroecology and sustainable food systems.

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Our Work

Food First is a “people’s think tank” dedicated to ending the injustices that cause hunger and helping communities to take back control of their food systems. We advance our mission through three interrelated work areas—research, education, and action—designed to promote informed citizen engagement with the institutions and policies that control our food.

Read more…