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Our Challenge and Mission

The challenges for the world’s food systems are daunting. Almost a billion people suffer from chronic hunger. As the global population grows, areas already struggling to feed people will be put under even more stress by having millions of additional mouths to feed. Agriculture faces increased demands for food and fuel even as the planet’s natural resource base for production is under threat.

To answer this threat, the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) has established the International Food Security at Illinois (IFSI).

Our intention is to build the most comprehensive university program for global food security in the nation.

As an interdisciplinary college–focused on food, agriculture, the environment, and people—we are uniquely positioned to devote current and future intellectual capabilities and other resources to a range of issues vital to food security.

By applying ACES’ research, innovation, and outreach expertise to food security, IFSI can enable food systems in the United States and worldwide to better serve the world’s food-insecure people.

The goal is food security – meaning that all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for active and healthy lives.