Our story
The way we produce, process, consume and waste food has implications on food security, public health, the environment, the economy and social equality. Considering the rapidly growing world population pushing the boundaries of our planet and the rise of hunger and malnutrition, our present food systems are not future-proof. More than ever before, cooperation between all stakeholders (government, businesses, civil society, knowledge institutions etc.) will be needed to contribute to an effective transition to truly sustainable food systems.FoodFIRST is a neutral and independent platform that brings together the government, the business sector, civil society and knowledge institutes. By facilitating dialogue and connecting expertise, we aim to inspire our partners to think outside the box and seize opportunities to conceive innovative and scalable solutions focused on achieving SDG1: eradicating poverty in all its forms and SDG 2: end hunger, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture.
About FoodFIRST
What makes us unique?
foodFIRST is a neutral and independent platform that:inspires an open exchange of views and out-of-the-box thinking in order to find innovative solutions to challenges in the food chain;
triggers an action-oriented agenda that builds on the strength and expertise of the Dutch stakeholders involved
stimulates cooperation between parties so as to explore (unconventional) solutions and to learn from each other
Our Goals
forge coaliations to contribute to SDGs 1 & 2
triggers an action-oriented agenda that builds on the strength and expertise of the Dutch stakeholders involved
stimulates cooperation between parties so as to explore (unconventional) solutions and to learn from each other
Read here about news and events:
November 14, 2025
The blockade of Ukrainian ports during Russia’s 2022 invasion triggered a record spike in food prices. Nearly 25 million tons of grains got stuck in Ukraine. Exports of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds plummeted below 10% of their normal volume. Aside from hurting Ukraine’s economy, it also generated a global food panic, as many countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East, had grown reliant on Ukrainian and Russian grain over the past decade.
October 24, 2025
Together with its partners TRAIDE Foundation and the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), and in collaboration with the of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, foodFIRST hosted on Thursday 16 October 2025 a side event for a large audience during World Food Day on Promoting Dutch SME Involvement in African Agri-Value Chains.
October 22, 2025
Op vrijdag 19 september 2025 organiseerden foodFIRST, Socires en Cordaid een rondetafelgesprek met zo’n 25 deskundigen uit overheid, kennisinstellingen, ontwikkelingsorganisaties en filantropie over de toekomst van ontwikkelingssamenwerking met Tineke Ceelen. Ceelen is oud-directeur van Stichting Vluchteling en Cordaid. Zij heeft recent haar persoonlijke ervaringen opgeschreven in het bijzondere en boeiende boek Vlucht: Van oorlog naar crisis naar ramp, een leven lang.