This essay draws on the interrelated concepts of imaginary, imagination, and narrative to problematise current approaches to the challenge of creating sustainable food systems. It also leverages these concepts to reassert the importance of radical imagining in finding sustainable pathways. We specifically unpack the dominant imaginary for the future of food systems, which is centred on the narrative of “technology as salvation” and highlight its detrimental implications. In attempt to reinstate the radical imagination in the field of sustainable food systems we argue for models and narratives based on recontextualisation, repoliticisation and relationality in order to challenge the dominant imaginary.