IPES-Food is an international non-profit organization (“AISBL” in French) under Belgian law. It is composed of 24 panel members[4] from different disciplines, including environmental scientists, development economists, nutritionists, agronomists, and sociologists, as well as experienced practitioners from civil society and social movements, originating from 18 countries across 5 continents.[5]
An administrative council is the executive body of the association, and is composed of the two co-chairs plus one to three members elected by the panel. It is supported by a small secretariat of 5 staff located in Brussels, under the responsibility of the co-chairs of IPES-Food.
IPES-Food’s work is guided by four principles: a holistic approach that addresses food systems in their entirety; a sustainability approach that includes environmental, health, social, cultural, and economic dimensions; a political economy approach that recognizes the power relations and influences exercised by actors within the food system; and a democratic approach to knowledge that identifies the value of state-of-the-art research in natural and social sciences, while recognizing the importance of experiential, indigenous and traditional knowledge.[5]
The main way in which IPES-Food seeks to achieve change is by preparing and disseminating reports on different aspects of the global food system, which are rigorous in both empirical and analytical terms.[6] These reports are heavily critical of the productivist approach to agriculture, demonstrating its negative impacts on the environment and human wellbeing. IPES-Food has advocated for agroecology.[7]
“The New Science of Sustainable Food Systems” (2015) calls for a joined-up picture of food systems and their political economy as a unit of analysis.[8]
“From Uniformity to Diversity” (2016) argues for a paradigm shift from industrial agriculture to diversified agroecological systems, and identifies ‘lock-ins’ blocking this transition.[8]
“Too Big To Feed” (2017) explores the impacts of mega-mergers, consolidation and concentration of power in the agri-food sector.[9]
“Unraveling the Food-Health Nexus” (2017) co-developed with the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, provides insight into the health impacts of industrial food systems and highlights the need for significant human health reforms.[10]
“What Makes Urban Food Policy Happen?” (2017) draws lessons from five cities on how to overcome barriers to implementing sustainable food policies at the municipal level.[11]
“Breaking away from industrial food and farming systems” (2018) compiles case studies of seven experiences of agroecological transitions around the world.[12]
“Towards a Common Food Policy for the EU” (2019) proposes a Common Food Policy for the European Union to replace the Common Agriculture Policy, with policy reforms required in order to deliver sustainable food systems. It draws on the collective intelligence of more than 400 farmers, food entrepreneurs, civil society activists, scientists and policymakers consulted through a three-year process of research and deliberation.[13]This report was endorsed by the European Parliament in a motion adopted in 2021 in favor of a EU farm to fork strategy.[14]
“COVID-19 and the Crisis in Food Systems” (2020) draws insights from the weaknesses and inequalities in food systems exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and proposes structural reforms to build resilience to future shocks.[15]
“The Added Value(s) of Agroecology: Unlocking the potential for transition in West Africa” (2020) identifies eight key obstacles to agroecology in West Africa, but also four leverage points. It draws on a three-year participatory research process with family farmers, researchers and policymakers in West Africa.[17]
“A Long Food Movement: transforming food systems by 2045” (2021) published with ETC Group lays out a series of strategies for the food movement to build sustainable food systems over 25 years.[18]
“The Politics of Protein” (2022) scrutinizes key claims about the future of protein (including livestock and alternative proteins), identifies five ways in which these claims result in oversimplified discussions, and sets out recommendations to reduce polarization.[19]
“Another Perfect Storm?” (2022) takes stock of the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on global food security, highlighting the vicious cycles of climate change, conflict, poverty, and food insecurity that are leaving millions of people highly vulnerable to shocks.[20]
“Breaking the Cycle of Unsustainable Food Systems, Hunger, and Debt” (2023) identifies unsustainable food systems as a critical factor behind rising debt and hunger today[22]
“Who’s Tipping the Scales?” (2023) examines the implications of the growing influence of large agribusiness corporations on the international governance of food systems for people and the planet, criticizing multi-stakeholder governance.