Donor agencies, governments and corporations are looking to mobilise businesses in the global campaign to reduce undernutrition. Involving the private sector in “nutrition sensitive” development is seen as key to sustaining progress in the long run. Food and agriculture are at the centre of these efforts. But how can food businesses contribute, and why aren’t they doing so already? Drawing on evidence from Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania, this seminar examines why food markets often fail to provide nutrient-rich foods to the people most in need. It looks at several policy responses to these problems and asks what has made these efforts succeed or fail. These experiences suggest that policy change and public action are key if businesses are to play a role in tackling undernutrition.