Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FOOD

Do you know what's for dinner tonight? 

Most days I don't, and you probably have days like that, too! 

In fact, can you even remember what you had for lunch yesterday? For many of us, we usually know where to get the food we need — it’s in our fridge or down the street at the store. We don't have to worry about the cucumbers that didn't grow or the grains that were not harvested. We don't have to worry about whether the ship has come into port, or if the roads are washed out by torrential rains. It feels good not to have to worry...

So, imagining what we'll have for dinner in 2040 seems almost absurd!  

But here's the thing: our food systems are at risk today, and the future of our meals is uncertain. We got a taste of what this might feel like during the pandemic, when the things we relied on were gone from the shelves.  

Shaping the Future of Food is what the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) is all about. We are doing the meal planning for the world in 2040 and beyond. And we know it’s not just about the food we eat, but also who is invited to the table — the people who are growing, harvesting, transporting and selling our food. We act, from right here in ag-focused Minnesota, to create global food systems that focus on the well-being of people and the planet.   

Setting the table today ensures a nourishing meal tomorrow! 

Your gift is not just a donation; it's a promise for the future we are building together! 

IATP is committed to increasing justice and equity in the world’s food and agriculture systems, both in the communities where we live and through the relationships that food systems create across the globe. We work to slow climate change through mitigating agricultural emissions and to strengthen food systems’ adaptive capacity in all dimensions: social, economic and environmental.

Mission: The Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy (IATP) works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems. 

Vision: IATP envisions agriculture, trade and food systems that are good for people, farmers and food system workers, ecosystems, and social justice globally.

Values: IATP is guided by values of economic and racial justice, environmental sustainability and resilience, and strong democratic institutions. 

To learn more about our work, visit our website.