Agenda
Time(EST)
Location
Topic
8:30 am
Lobby
Registration | Networking | Intercontinental Breakfast
9:00 am
Main Stage
Welcome Remarks
Julia Olayanju, Ph.D. MPH, Chair, Planning Committee
9:10 am
Main Stage
Opening Keynote
9:30 am
Main Stage
The Evolving Landscape of Nutritional, Lifestyle & Metabolic Psychiatry: Implications for Community Mental Health
As evidence grows connecting diet, lifestyle, and metabolic health to mental health outcomes, the fields of nutritional and metabolic psychiatry are becoming increasingly relevant to public health, clinical practice, and policy. This interdisciplinary panel brings together scholars and practitioners to explore how emerging research in this evolving field can be translated into effective, community-level interventions.
Panelists will examine the physiological mechanisms linking nutrition, inflammation, and metabolic function to mood and cognition, while also discussing the socioecological factors—such as food insecurity and access to care—that contribute to mental health disparities. The conversation will focus on bridging research and real-world application, offering insights that inform both future scholarship and public health initiatives.
Session Chair: Dr. Uma Naidoo- Director of Nutritional Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Faculty, Harvard Medical School.
10:20 am
Main Stage
GLP-1, Food Innovation & Community Health: Navigating the New Normal.
The emergence of GLP-1 receptor agonists has rapidly reshaped the landscape of obesity and chronic disease treatment, offering new hope to millions. Yet as these therapies become more widespread, critical questions arise: What does this shift mean for the role of food in health? How should we adapt public health strategies to ensure equity, access, and long-term outcomes? And how can food innovation play a complementary role in a future increasingly shaped by pharmaceutical intervention?
This timely panel brings together experts in endocrinology, nutrition science, food innovation, and public health to explore the intersection of GLP-1 medications and food systems. With a focus on real-world community impact, panelists will discuss the implications of widespread GLP-1 use on food behavior, nutrition education, chronic disease prevention, and healthcare access—particularly among vulnerable populations.
Session Chair: Dr. Julia Olayanju, Founder, FoodNiche Institute, Faculty, Saint Elizabeth University.
11:20 pm
Presentation
Solution Showcase (Sponsored Opportunity Available)
11:45 pm
Lobby
POWER LUNCH/NETWORKING
1:00 pm
Main Stage
Keynote II
1:30 pm
Main Stage
Fueling Innovation & Access: Funding the Future of Food for Health
Transforming food systems to support public health requires more than innovative ideas—it demands strategic investment. From sustainable food startups to community-based nutrition programs, access to funding is critical to scale impactful solutions that improve health outcomes and promote equity. This panel brings together leaders from venture capital, philanthropy, public health, and food innovation to discuss how funding can accelerate change at the intersection of food, health, and equity.
Panelists will explore the unique challenges and opportunities in securing venture capital, federal and foundation grants, and public-private partnerships. They will also highlight successful models, offer practical guidance, and address how funders are evaluating impact in this rapidly evolving space.
Session chair: Lauren Abda, Partner, Branch Venture Group
2:30 pm
Main Stage
The ROI of Preventive Nutrition: How Food-Based Interventions Can Reduce Long-Term Healthcare Cost
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and obesity-related illnesses account for the majority of healthcare spending in the U.S. Yet, many of these conditions are preventable or manageable through targeted nutrition interventions. This panel explores the economic case for investing in food as medicine—analyzing how evidence-based, nutrition-focused programs can reduce healthcare utilization, improve outcomes, and create sustainable cost savings for health systems, insurers, and communities.
Experts from healthcare, policy, insurance, and community health will unpack the latest research, real-world case studies of reimbursable nutrition programs, and lessons from pilot initiatives across diverse populations. Panelists will discuss both successful strategies and missteps, offering insight into what works, what doesn’t, and how to design scalable, effective preventive nutrition models that generate measurable ROI.
Session chair: Saneel Kulkarni, Senior Director, Centene Corporation
3:35 pm
Main Stage
Food Tech for Health: Turning Innovation into Impact
As food technology rapidly advances, it holds immense potential to address public health challenges and improve community well-being. This interactive brainstorming session brings together innovators, healthcare leaders, insurers, policymakers, and food industry experts to explore how cutting-edge tools—like AI-driven nutrition, precision health, and sustainable food production—can be translated into real-world solutions.
Participants will identify key barriers to adoption, share success stories, and co-develop strategies to align food innovation with health goals. Join us for a collaborative, future-focused dialogue on making food technology a powerful driver of better health outcomes.
4:10 pm
Main Stage
AWARD CEREMONY
Food is Medicine Impact Awards
The Food is Medicine Impact Awards celebrate five exceptional categories of leadership and innovation at the intersection of food, health, and equity:
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Lifetime Voice for Food Justice Award – Honors a visionary advocate whose lifelong work has amplified the call for equitable food access and systemic change.
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Food Systems Impact Award – Recognizes transformative contributions to building healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive food systems.
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Food for Good Award – Celebrates community-rooted initiatives that harness the power of food to uplift, heal, and empower vulnerable populations.
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Global Humanitarian Food Leadership Award – Honors bold, compassionate leadership delivering food relief and resilience in crisis zones worldwide.
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Scientific Innovation in Food & Health Award – Recognizes groundbreaking research and technology unlocking the potential of food to prevent and treat disease.
These awards honor changemakers redefining the role of food in building healthier futures.
This segment starts with video highlights of the honoree’s work, followed by the award presentation and acceptance speech for each category.