Agenda
Time (EST)
Location
Topic
9:30 am
Lobby
Registration | Networking
10:20 am
Main Stage
Opening remarks
Julia Olayanju PhD,
Co-founder, FoodNiche Inc.
10:25 am
Main Stage
Opening Keynote
Securing a Healthier and Sustainable Food Future through Public-Private Sector Partnership
Speaker:
Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director,
NYC Mayor's Office of Food Policy
10:45 am
Main Stage
Cutting-Edge Innovation in Food Leveraging Nanotechnology
This session will present highlights from current sustainable nanotechnology research projects in the agriculture and food domain. Projects include among other the development of green, nano-carrier platforms for targeted precision delivery of nature-derived antimicrobials for food safety applications using engineered water nanostructures.
Speaker:
Philip Demokritou Ph.D. Henry Rutgers Chair in Environmental Bioengineering, School of Public Health
11:05 am
Main Stage
The Science Behind Safe, Healthy & Sustainable Food Innovation.
Consumer demand is creating shifts in food innovation with healthier and sustainable products as a primary focus. These shifts call for science-backed innovative strategies across the value chain, from R&D to production to packaging to distribution. Panelists will discuss examples of disruptive innovation taking place to address evolving consumer needs. They will also share their perspectives on scientific breakthroughs and emerging technologies that are most likely to differentiate the winners from losers in the fast growing movement toward healthy, sustainable food innovation.
Speakers:
Anabelle Broadbent Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Verde Ops
Martin Slayne Ph.D., VP Global Scientific & Regulatory Affairs,
Ingredion
Duncan Aust Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer, AgroFresh
Ellen Jorgensen, Ph.D., Co-founder & Director,
Aanika Biosciences
11:55 pm
Main Stage
Solution Spotlight: Beyond Good
A sustainable approach to chocolate innovation. In this presentation, root causes of sustainability issues will be highlighted. A unique business model that the company has found impactful will be shared.
Speaker: Tim McCollum, CEO, Beyond Good
12:10 pm
Lobby
Lunch | Exhibition | Networking
1:10 pm
Main Stage
Shaping the Future of Food Innovation through Collaboration
Accelerating food innovation requires cross-sector collaboration. From technology companies providing insights to guide innovation to consumer goods companies leveraging consumer insights and R&D capabilities to develop innovative products, ongoing collaboration is crucial in driving healthier and sustainable food innovation. Our panelists will discuss how industry players (e.g. consumer goods producers, consumer insights companies, retailers and academic innovation labs) can effectively collaborate to accelerate food innovation. Panelists will also discuss successful models of collaboration that are already in place, impediments to and opportunity areas for cross-sector collaboration to fast-track food innovation.
Speakers:
Alon Chen, Chief Executive Officer,
Tastewise
Kevin E. McCurdy, Global CPG Partner Segment Leader, Amazon
Eric Beringause, Chief Executive Officer,
Winland Foods
Jonathan Deutsch, Professor & Director,
Drexel Food Innovation Lab
Deane Sullivan, Manager, Multicultural & Local,
Stop & Shop Supermarkets’ Corporate Office
2:00 pm
Main Stage
High-Impact Networking
This segment is integrated here to allow people to get to know people on their table and around them. This is a short interlude for high impact networking.
2:05 pm
Main Stage
Innovation Stage: Optimized Foods
In this session, the CEO of Optimized Foods shares their innovative approach to alternative protein.
Speaker:
Zane Starkewolfe, CEO, Optimized Foods
2:15 pm
Main Stage
Prioritizing Sustainability and Consumer Well-being in Global Food Innovation
There is growing consumer focus on how to optimize health through nutrition while embracing sustainable food practices. Join our panelists to evaluate how brands can effectively balance both priorities in developing new, innovative, nourishing, and tasty products. Panelists will share success stories centered on bringing new products to market that are better for humans and for the environment. They will also examine the key considerations and enablers for consumer acceptance and commercial viability of these products.
Speakers:
Megan McIlroy, Director, Innovation R & D
KraftHeinz
Kevin Benmoussa, EVP
Aleph Farms
Matt Weiss, CEO
RIND Snacks
Trish Thomas, CEO and Co-founder
Every Body Eat
3:05 pm
Main Stage
Innovation Stage: TasteGPT
The way consumers choose what to eat and drink is already influenced by AI in countless ways. Consumers are also more informed than ever, and they expect us to meet their needs accurately, specifically, and on demand. TasteGPT can now help companies get closer to their consumers by capturing the pulse of culinary, nutritional, and dietary needs, and to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Speaker:
Alon Chen, CEO Tastewise and TasteGPT
3:20 pm
Main Stage
Investing In Innovation: Accelerating Healthy & Sustainable Food Movement
Sustained investor interest is critical for accelerating food innovation. The panel will examine how investor appetite has evolved with the growing movement towards sustainability and food as medicine. They will also explore how to keep investors’, innovators’, and consumers’ interests aligned amidst further changes in the food industry.
Speakers:
Anne Greven, Strategic Finance Leader and former Global Head of Food and Agribusiness Innovation, Rabobank International
Jenn Smith, Director,
Center for Regional Economic Advancement,
Cornell University
Bunmi Olayanju, Strategic Finance Leader, Investor & Co-founder, FoodNiche
Ben Fishman,
Chairman, Regenified LLC and Former Managing Director, Continental Grain
Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO,
Agritecture
4:15 pm
Main Stage
Innovation Stage: TurtleTree
TurtleTree’s purpose is to nourish both people and the planet with revolutionary food by employing state-of-the-art technologies that unlock access to high-value and high-in-demand milk bioactive ingredients.
Speaker:
Shou Wong, Chief Innovation Officer, TurtleTree
4:25 pm
Main Stage
Innovation Stage : Rainfed
Rainfed is an alternative protein company focused on providing consumers with sustainable, nutritious plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives using climate-resilient, underutilized crops like Millet
Speaker: Sujala Balaji, CEO, Rainfed