Nutrition Connect in conversation with Ninja Lacey, Coalition Builder at the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP)
At the recent CGIAR Science Week in Nairobi, Ninja Lacey, Coalition Builder at the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), emphasized the crucial role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in the transformation of food systems. Speaking at a session focused on true pricing—a method that factors in the real cost of food including social, health, and environmental impacts—she underscored the need for inclusive and responsive approaches.
“As a coalition builder, my role is to bring diverse partners together—private sector actors, public institutions, civil society, and knowledge institutes—to collectively work towards food systems transformation,” she shared. For NFP, this means ensuring that nutrition scientists, policymakers, and other key voices are not just present, but truly heard and reflected in decision-making processes.
Citing examples like the Nutrition for Growth Summit, Lacey highlighted collaborative efforts with organizations such as GAIN and the Access to Nutrition Initiative to drive action towards healthier, more sustainable diets.
“The essence of our work is making sure the right voices are at the table—and that we listen to them. That’s how we scale healthier diets and build sustainable partnerships for long-term impact,” she concluded.
Her message was clear: transforming food systems is not a solo act—it’s a collective journey.
