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Food Systems Dialogues

In the lead up to the UN Food Systems Summit, UN Member States are invited to host a series of three Member State Dialogues (hereafter referred to as National Food Systems Dialogues). The objective of the National Food Systems Dialogues is to enable a diverse set of invited stakeholders to work together to discuss challenges and opportunities for building more sustainable food systems. The findings of these Dialogues will be posted on the UN Food Systems Dialogue Gateway.

USDA is the official convener for the U.S. National Food System Dialogues. USDA’s objective in hosting the U.S. National Food Systems Dialogues is to facilitate inclusive dialogue in the United States on sustainable food systems. For the U.S. National Food Systems Dialogues, USDA followed the UN three-stage dialogue framework, with the first dialogue focusing on challenges, the second on solutions, and the third on pathways to achieving more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable food systems in the United States. USDA also hosted a Youth Dialogue at the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum. Below is an overview of the U.S. National Food Systems Dialogues:

First U.S. National Food Systems Dialogue Summary Report: On January 13, 2021, USDA hosted the first U.S. National Food Systems Dialogue. The event focused on discussing the challenges for building more sustainable food systems in the United States. Read the summary of the Dialogue organization, participation, and findings (PDF, 179 KB).

Youth Dialogue Summary Report: On February 18, 2021, USDA hosted a Youth Food Systems Dialogue. The event focused on engaging youth to discuss challenges and overarching solutions to strengthen food systems. Read the summary of the Dialogue (PDF, 195 KB).

Second U.S. National Food Systems Dialogue Summary Report: On May 19, 2021, USDA hosted the second U.S. National Food Systems Dialogue. The Dialogue focused on discussing solutions for building more sustainable food systems in the United States. Read the summary of the Dialogue organization, participation, and findings (PDF, 174 KB).

Third U.S. National Food Systems Dialogue Summary Report: On June 30, 2021, USDA hosted the final U.S. National Food Systems Dialogue. Dialogue participants discussed pathways for working together to achieve more sustainable food systems in the United States. Read the summary of the Dialogue organization, participation, and findings (PDF, 229 KB).