Food Tank: The Big Tent Which Changes the Story 

In a world grappling with the urgent crises of climate change, food insecurity, and health challenges, a storytelling initiative is offering a powerful way to change the conversation.

Food Tank is a U. S.-based advocacy, convening, and storytelling organization which brings activism, art, food, business, science, politics, and journalism together to change the food system. Its «big tent» approach has created a space within the food movement where diverse voices can share their unique perspectives.

Farmers work alongside scientists, while chefs collaborate with business leaders, and policymakers engage with activists, artists, and journalists to build innovative strategies and scale solutions.

With a strong focus on community-rooted solutions, the organization hosts summits and convenings that tackle critical and multi-layered issues of climate-driven food poverty. From hunger to regenerative agriculture and food justice, the initiative says that it can inspire and support communities to lead their own transformational journeys.

Much of Food Tank’s success is in the power and influence found within its global working groups. The Chief Sustainability Officers Group boasts over 350 leaders from major food brands, while the Academic Working Group represents voices from all 50 U. S. states. A Non-Profit Leaders Group launched in 2025 promises to recruit 1,500 changemakers across sectors including climate, food, and health.

Central to Food Tank’s strategy is its storytelling platform. Its weekly newsletter, daily news website, podcast with hundreds of thousands of downloads, and social media presence with over 1.5 million followers spotlight hopeful solutions and create a global reach and a dynamic forum for engagement and education.

Innovative programming is at the core of Food Tank’s mission to shift the cultural narrative around food. Through theatre productions and multimedia projects highlighting farmer stories and indigenous growers and producers, voices often marginalized in mainstream dialogues can provoke new lines of thinking among an audience with the potential to really affect change.

With programming and partnerships in over 50 countries across continents, yet a full-time staff of four and an annual budget under $1.3 million, the initiative claims to accomplish what many institutions ten times their size cannot.

The initiative says that its work is not only about informing the public but actively mobilizing it, creating new coalitions, and encouraging commitments from both public and private sectors. It is this global community of stakeholders, Food Tank believes, that can reimagine and reshape our food systems — shifting the public narrative toward equity, sustainability, and joy.

Learn more about Food Tank.

Written by Gilly Smith
Photos provided by Food Tank