Some interesting reflections on the Third Global Foresight4Food Workshop in Montpellier 2023. Amid the turbulence created by strikes in France, a diverse and committed group of people still managed to get to and from the Third Global Foresight4Food Workshop in Montpellier from 7-9 March.

How can we understand the multiple dimensions of transforming food systems? What does food system transformation actually mean? A framework for thinking about food systems transformation based on WHY change is needed, WHAT needs to change, and HOW change can be brought about.

FAO published the ‘The Future of Food and Agriculture – Drivers and triggers for transformation’ report. The key triggers and drivers for transformation are identified based on a diverse and wide range of literature and expert knowledge and then applied to four scenarios to achieve the FAO goal of ‘Four Betters’: better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life.

A rapid transformation of food systems is necessary to end poverty and hunger, protect the environment, improve rural livelihoods, and ensure resilience to future shocks. Such transformative change requires a long-term perspective and understanding of the risks and opportunities in different possible food system futures – the purpose of foresight.