The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the food system to its core. The bright spots during these trying months has been the resiliency of our local and regional food systems that are connecting producers directly with consumers.

TIFS condemns and opposes all racist expressions, actions, and policies. Through TIFS’ work, we apply seven shared principles of renewability, resilience, equity, diversity, healthfulness, inclusion, and interconnectedness. These principles guide us to help shape a common vision of a just and sustainable future of food, express our values, and encompass the changes we want to make.

On 29 April 2020, the TIFS Learning Community met with Five Suns Foods and an investor in the company.

Community Markets for Conservation (COMACO) offers an example of a company that is using a systems approach to conservation, food production, and poverty alleviation.

During the TIFS launch, we had the privilege of discussing several frameworks for investing in food systems.

On 21 January 2020, TIFS convened a one-day meeting to expand the conversation about investing in principles-based, agro-ecologically aligned food system businesses that are economically viable and deliver sustainable impact. Participants in the meeting discussed challenges and opportunities of investing across the capital continuum and provided input on key TIFS activities planned for 2020-2022.

The TIFS Learning Community began meeting in 2019 to hear presentations from investors, investees, researchers and business assistance providers.