Issues

Food Security & Sustainability

The policies, threats, and innovations shaping global food security, from Midwest agriculture to global development, climate resilience, and trade. 

Past Events

Roundtable with Ambassador Cindy McCain

PAST EVENT

Former UN World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain joins Council Distinguished Fellow Catherine Bertini for a special roundtable on leadership and food security.

Oct 28
Cindy McCain speaks at a Council roundtable event.
Ana Miyares Photography

2026 Global Food Security Working Dinner

PAST EVENT

Council President and CEO Leslie Vinjamuri hosts a working dinner to discuss the Council's food and agriculture work.

Oct 20
Farmer Brandon Hedges walks back to his combine while harvesting soybeans in Pawnee, IL on October 7, 2010.
Seth Perlman / AP
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Commentary

Food Security in a Time of Change

Analysis
by Bob Easter

Geopolitical developments are having disruptive impacts on Midwestern agriculture.

A combine, top, harvests corn while unloading grain into a wagon, bottom, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at a farm near Allerton, Ill.
Joshua A. Bickel / AP
Food Security & Sustainability

Insulating Global Hunger from Petropower Geopolitics

Analysis
by Coauthors

When wars disrupt the trade of not just food but energy, history shows a deepening of hunger follows.

Road tankers are filled with gasoline unloaded from ships anchored offshore and held in storage tanks at the Baniyas Oil Terminal in Tartous province, Syria, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.
Ghaith Alsayed / AP
Food Security & Sustainability
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Research

From Data to Decisions: Understanding the Business Case for Private Sector Engagement in Food Security Data

RESEARCH
Report by Coauthors

A significant transformation is underway in how risks across the agricultural and food value chain are understood, managed, and financed, with profound implications for global food security.

Three people stand together laughing while one holds a mobile phone
Digital Green
Food Security & Sustainability

Bridging the Gap: Accelerating Technology Adoption for Sustainable Food Production

RESEARCH
Report

Emerging AgTech innovations have the potential to radically improve the sustainability, profitability, and accessibility of US-produced food.

Farmer Chang Chen-kai prunes common salad lettuce growing under banks of LED lights at the ARWIN plant factory in Miaoli, northern Taiwan.
AP Photos
Food Security & Sustainability
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Experts

Catherine Bertini 

Distinguished Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Council expert Catherine Bertini
Expertise
Food Security & Sustainability
Social Media

Ertharin Cousin 

Distinguished Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Council expert Ertharin Cousin
Expertise
Food Security & Sustainability
Social Media
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