The Thinking

Food Tank is re-framing the current policy conversation around the global food system by marshaling increased awareness and research, and encouraging more investment in environmentally sustainable food and agriculture initiatives and innovation. Through public education, convening and events, aggregation and dissemination of current research and innovation, as well as execution of new research, Food Tank seeks to align agricultural systems with nutritionally sound and environmentally responsible food systems that will bring about sustainable growth for farmers and entrepreneurs—and healthy food for eaters.

What makes Food Tank Different?

Many organizations are undertaking efforts to alleviate hunger, obesity and poverty, and improve environmental sustainability. Some have pre-determined solutions that do not adequately account for cultural, structural, academic and political barriers. Others bring multiple-stakeholders together to write reports, but they do not end up with concrete action—and solutions.

Food Tank aims to take a new approach to solving these issues by...

Engaging multiple—and seemingly disparate—stakeholders.

Organizations working on hunger and those working on obesity have much more in common then they think. Groups fighting to change the behaviors of Big Agriculture can often find sustainable alternatives in organic and small-scale farming. If we want to change the global food system we need to focus on the common causes and solutions among all of the groups working on these issues. Food Tank is a clearinghouse for information across the whole range of food system topics, seamlessly addressing multi-faceted global and domestic food issues. Food Tank seeks to dissect this vast collection of information for a broad, non-expert audience.   

Uniting the voices of the next generation’s global food movement.

Between a greater understanding of our own food consumption and a larger concern for changing the current systems that cause people misery and poverty, the next generation is increasingly interested in learning more about sustainability, global health, and food security. Food Tank has a finger on the pulse of new, innovative thinking and a vast network of eager and engaged members.

Leveraging lasting partnerships while producing independent content. 

Food Tank has a demonstrated track record of conducting independent research while working with reputable, mainstream media outlets around the world to publish impactful journalistic pieces. Through non-partisan and non-ideological content development, Food Tank connects a vast audience of farmers, consumers, and industry representatives worldwide. This range of connections and followers is essential to truly bring about short- and long-term change.

Reaching audiences of all interests and skill levels.

Most of the great research done by existing organizations is often not accessible or friendly to non-experts, and therefore fails to reach a large audience. Food Tank has a proven track record of taking complicated research and making it accessible. We are featured daily in major news outlets.

Focusing on concrete actions and solutions.

From the U.S. to Ghana, extraordinary innovations in sustainable agriculture are being developed both through technology and the sharing of time-tested methods of indigenous peoples. The solutions are out there, we just need to communicate and collaborate so that everyone can benefit from our shared knowledge.

Participating in and encouraging active food citizenship. 

Food Tank staff regularly attend and participate in high profile events, U.S. and international conferences, various policy meetings, and small roundtable dialogues across the broad spectrum of food system issues in order to stay abreast of important trends, quickly digest information, and produce innovative programming and content. 

Giving voice and support to people normally excluded from the conversation.

Most systems aren't “one size fits all,” but agricultural research and development programs usually take this approach to their work, ignoring the expertise of local smallholder farmers and indigenous peoples. These groups have valuable knowledge about local conditions and communities’ immediate needs. Around the world, Ellen and Danielle encountered individuals and organizations developing innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the most pressing issues in food and agriculture, eager to share their knowledge and experience on what is working in the food system. Food Tank is a response to a demand for a network through which to share data and social and technical innovations.