The food policy world has been abuzz with talk of transforming food systems. It’s part of growing recognition that we’re way off course to meet the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) – to end hunger, improve nutrition and green agriculture. The coronavirus pandemic has put added strain on food systems, especially in terms of employment and affordability of food.

The systems link between food, diet, health and ecosystems is reflected in upcoming policy milestones. The UN Food Systems Summit in 2021 aims to “unleash the benefits of food systems for all people”. The Japanese government is due to announce the date of the third Nutrition for Growth Summit to “strengthen the link between diet, food systems and health”. Both events have the SDGs' target date of 2030 in their sights.

But in 2030 when we look back at this critical period, will we see an opportunity wasted? Did our urgency and impetus to ‘transform’ food systems distract us from the realities of the most important food systems, of the majority poor?