One of the grand challenges facing humanity over the next 50 years is increasing the security and resiliency of food systems for a growing world population without depleting natural resources or degrading the ecosystems on which long-term sustainability depends. Building sustainable food production, processing and distribution systems will require integrating a wide range of environmental, economic, and social issues. This approach requires a mechanism and structure to develop partnerships and collaboration for research, teaching and outreach. Our goal is to provide a collaborative setting, cutting across the Colleges and Schools at the University of Georgia (UGA), for scientists, students, and practitioners to develop sustainable food systems that address production, energy, water, the environment, economics, health, nutrition, and social justice.