To provide sustainable, sufficient, and nutritious food to a growing population is a major challenge for agriculture and the plant research community. In this respect the mineral micronutrient content of food crops deserves particular attention. Micronutrient deficiencies in cultivated soils and plants are a global problem which adversely affects crop production, plant nutritional value as well as human health and well-being. In this review, we call for awareness on the importance and relevance of micronutrients in crop production and quality. We stress the need for better nutrition in human populations with micronutrients, not only in developing but also in developed nations, and describe strategies to identify and characterize new varieties with high micronutrient content. Furthermore, we explain how an adequate nutrition of plants with micronutrients impacts metabolic functions and the capacity of plants to express tolerance mechanisms against abiotic and biotic constraints. Finally, a brief overview and a critical discussion on the current knowledge, future challenges and specific technological needs for the research on plant micronutrient homeostasis are provided. Research in this area is expected to foster the sustainable development of nutritious and healthy food crops for human consumption.