Many current agro-food systems are not sustainable. This is a direct result of the 'linear' nature of the modem food value chain, which depletes finite natural resources, creates organic waste in the form of lost and discarded food, and drives climate change and biodiversity loss. These linear systems are failing to provide sufficient, affordable, nutritious, and safe foods to support good health for burgeoning urban populations in the Asia-Pacific region. Circular systems, however, restore, capture, and reuse nutrients and products to build economic, natural, and social capital. We explore four significant components of circular approaches to foster the transformative change needed to create sustainable agro-food systems: 1) healthy food production practices that integrate food crops with livestock, fish, and forests to regenerate agro-ecosystems; 2) reduction of food losses and waste by shortening food miles and using a mix of technological solutions; 3) elevation of plant-based foods over animal-based foods as a source of micronutrients and a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and 4) reclamation of food surpluses, food waste, and by-products through productive recycling and reuse. This challenging effort demands cooperation on a global scale. It will require international communities and governments to finance and promote effective policies, establish collaboration between public and private sectors, and between different science disciplines, and forge stronger, more transparent links to connect producers and consumers. Ultimately, it will be up to individuals to drive demand for circular production patterns and adopt circular consumption habits based on sustainability as a guiding principle.