Ending hunger is difficult because it is a lengthy process that requires sustained policy attention and public resources at the same time that private markets are the arena for nearly all the decisions that matter. Central to this process is the food system, both as a key element of structural transformation and where many of the poor make their living. Without a stable food system that minimizes volatility, countries cannot sustain rapid economic growth, as citizens and investors need to feel confident that food will be reliably available and affordable in rural and urban markets.

Peter Timmer will share his thoughts on the right mix of market forces and government interventions to drive a process of economic growth that reaches the poor and ensures that food supplies are available and accessible to all. He will also share highlights from his new book, “Food Security and Scarcity: Why Ending Hunger Is So Hard”(University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015).