The UK Government Chief Scientist takes stock of the enormous challenges facing governments and citizens in balancing the competing pressures and demands on the global food system, not least in providing an adequate and sustainable nutrition for a rapidly-expanding population against the background of climate change. There are grounds for optimism in scientific and technical innovation, and in a growing consensus that global poverty is unacceptable and has to be ended. But the decisions ahead are difficult, and bold action is required to achieve the sustainable and fair food system the world so desperately needs.