Food systems transformation requires strategic attention to political economy

Food systems must go through a fundamental transformation if they are to become environmentally sustainable, generate nutritional benefits and improve economic equity. Yet, departing from status quo policies requires elevating political economy considerations within food system analyses, especially in an increasingly polarized world facing more and more expectations about what food systems can and should achieve. Such considerations include, but are not limited to, the distribution of costs and benefits to disparate groups from needed policy changes and the power those groups possess in local, national and global policy processes.