By Nadine Sudnick
Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

The world’s farmers will be asked to feed the equivalent of two more Chinas in the next 40 years. That’s according to Bob Thompson, SAIS, John Hopkins University, speaking at last week’s conversation on food security.

Statistics like that got our attention, but it was the thoughtful discussion about possible solutions to the challenge that I found even more striking. If you missed it, be sure to take a look at highlights from the event featured on WashingtonPost.com.

It was a positive, engaging discussion on multiple facets of the food security conversation, which included sustainable food production,  food economics, and reflections on both national and global implications of the challenge before us. A common theme was the need for research, technology, communication and education. Equally important is the need for ongoing conversations between agriculture, business, the government, science, and consumers to find ways to feed a rapidly growing world population.

Looking around the room and listening to the discussion, it struck me that working together to find common ground is key to making this happen. During the course of the day, Feeding America announced a new partnership with the National Dairy Council and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to help fight hunger and promote healthy food choices for the nation’s 49 million citizens who are food insecure; you’ll find more information here.

World Wildlife Fund also announced a new project with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. The results of the work they are going to do together will drive real progress in sustainable agriculture.

View highlights from the day here, and help us keep the conversation going.