BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Good Food Institute - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Good Food Institute X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://gfi.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Good Food Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240626T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240626T163000 DTSTAMP:20240614T190755Z CREATED:20240614T190752Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240614T190755Z UID:10000579-1719388800-1719419400@gfi.org SUMMARY:New Jersey FoodTech Conference 2024 DESCRIPTION:New Jersey FoodTech Conference 2024Past\n\n\n\n\nNJ FoodTech 2024 will be a full day of conversation\, collaboration\, and networking with New Jersey’s leading food tech businesses\, innovators\, and investors.  \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nLeaders will come together to share their insights\, discuss opportunities\, and identify future partners. Hear the latest on the food industry\, market trends\, digital transformation and the impact on food innovation\, and support for the food and beverage industry. There will also be panel discussions on food as medicine\, sustainability\, alternative proteins\, innovations in ingredients\, flavors and extracts\, and investor outlook. The conference will help promote the growth of New Jersey’s food technology sector by building awareness of its strength in food innovation\, leading to business retention\, and attracting business opportunities. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSimone Costa\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nSENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR\, STRATEGY & INNOVATION \n\n\n\nSimone works with SciTech’s subject matter experts to chart a technical roadmap for alternative protein success and guide strategic planning for the SciTech department. Simone joined GFI with experience in commercial consulting for life sciences companies as well as in product development at an enzyme engineering startup. She holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Duke University and a B.S. in biology from Carnegie Mellon University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/new-jersey-foodtech-conference-2024/ LOCATION:Rutgers University College Avenue Student Center\, 126 College Avenue\, New Brunswick\, New Jersey\, 08901 CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240626T123000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240626T133000 DTSTAMP:20240617T184542Z CREATED:20240617T184215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240617T184542Z UID:10000580-1719405000-1719408600@gfi.org SUMMARY:Business of Alt Protein: Enabling the success of alternative seafood DESCRIPTION:Business of Alt Protein: Enabling the success of alternative seafoodPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI and Future Ocean Foods for a deep dive into alternative seafood. In this webinar\, Marissa Bronfman\, founder and executive director of Future Ocean Foods\, will lead a panel discussion featuring leaders in the alternative seafood space. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWebinar description\n\n\n\nJoin GFI and Future Ocean Foods for a deep dive into alternative seafood. In this webinar\, Marissa Bronfman\, founder and executive director of Future Ocean Foods\, will lead a panel discussion featuring leaders in the alternative seafood space. Future Oceans Foods is a global seafood association that supports the alternative seafood industry. Their membership is comprised of 36 plant-based\, fermentation\, and cultivated seafood companies from around the world. \n\n\n\nIn the webinar\, you’ll learn about promising developments in the alternative seafood industry as well as opportunities across the aquatic value chain. Bring your questions for the panel to be answered during the event! \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarissa Bronfman\n\n\n\nFOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR\, FUTURE OCEAN FOODS \n\n\n\nMarissa Bronfman has created businesses and social initiatives across Canada and India. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Future Ocean Foods\, an alternative seafood association with 36 companies in 14 countries\, across plant-based\, fermentation\, and cultivated food and technology. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/business-of-alt-protein-enabling-the-success-of-alternative-seafood/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/COR24020_webinar-graphics-business-of-alt-protein-June_header-featured.jpg LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/business-of-alt-protein-enabling-the-success-of-alternative-seafood/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240702T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240702T140000 DTSTAMP:20240625T154710Z CREATED:20240625T154707Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240625T154710Z UID:10000583-1719921600-1719928800@gfi.org SUMMARY:Workshop: Leveraging artificial intelligence to advance alternative protein technologies DESCRIPTION:Workshop: Leveraging artificial intelligence to advance alternative protein technologiesPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a generative workshop on leveraging artificial intelligence to advance alternative protein technologies! \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nAlternative proteins are a key climate mitigation solution\, but many pressing challenges in sustainable proteins remain. AI can help! Eager to apply your interest in alternative proteins or artificial intelligence (or both!) toward climate action? Join us for a two-hour generative workshop on leveraging artificial intelligence to advance alternative protein technologies and meet other researchers!  \n\n\n\nThe Bezos Earth Fund has officially launched the $100 million AI for Climate and Nature Grand Challenge\, emphasizing sustainable proteins as one of four focus areas. This global initiative is exploring new ideas for multiplying the impact of climate and nature efforts using modern AI. This funding call has the potential to unlock major solutions across alternative proteins and artificial intelligence and has inspired GFI to bring innovators together for this collaborative event. \n\n\n\nAt this workshop\, we will discuss bottlenecks in alternative proteins\, highlighting those relevant to artificial and machine learning research methods\, and open questions for collaborations across these fields. Participants will work in small interdisciplinary groups to identify and select problems at this intersection and will discuss methods and approaches for collaborating. By being at the forefront of this intersection of artificial intelligence and alternative proteins\, AI researchers could have a unique opportunity to shape the success of these future foods and have a tangible impact on human and planetary health. We hope you can join us! \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/workshop-leveraging-artificial-intelligence-to-advance-alternative-protein-technologies/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SCI24040_AI-workshop-graphics_header-featured.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/workshop-leveraging-artificial-intelligence-to-advance-alternative-protein-technologies/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240714T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240717T235959 DTSTAMP:20240611T192709Z CREATED:20240611T192706Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240611T192709Z UID:10000578-1720915200-1721260799@gfi.org SUMMARY:American Culinary Federation National Convention DESCRIPTION:American Culinary Federation National ConventionPast\n\n\n\n\nThe 2024 ACF National Convention is being held July 14–17\, 2024\, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix\, Arizona. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nACF is the premier professional chefs’ organization in North America with more than 14\,000 members in over 170 chapters nationwide. Join us at their National Convention to gain resources that will keep you on the cutting edge and involved with the culinary industry. Marika Azoff\, GFI’s Corporate Engagement Lead – Retail and Food Service\, will be leading a panel titled “Beyond the Burger: The Next Generation of Alternative Protein Innovation.” Alternative protein chefs will discuss how sustainable proteins can support your business and help feed our growing population—deliciously\, nutritiously\, and sustainably. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarika Azoff\n\n\n\nCORPORATE ENGAGEMENT LEAD – RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE \n\n\n\nMarika works with companies involved in food sales and distribution to increase their sales of and commitment to alternative proteins. Marika first joined GFI with a focus on alternative seafood. Through building relationships with the private sector\, she worked to accelerate the development of alternative seafood globally. Marika earned a BA in Animal Conservation from the University of Rochester and spent the last decade focused on animal conservation and strategic partnerships. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/american-culinary-federation-national-convention/ LOCATION:Phoenix Convention Center\, 100 N 3rd St\, Phoenix\, Arizona\, 85004\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240715T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240715T175000 DTSTAMP:20240607T150819Z CREATED:20240607T150452Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T150819Z UID:10000576-1721064600-1721065800@gfi.org SUMMARY:IFT Fireside Chat Program DESCRIPTION:IFT Fireside Chat ProgramPast\n\n\n\n\nIFT FIRST means Food Improved by Research\, Science\, and Technology. IFT FIRST will bring together researchers\, scientists\, engineers and entrepreneurs from across the global food value chain to discuss scientific solutions in presentations and panels focused on transformative innovation. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nAttendees will have the chance to interact with 1\,000+ exhibitors showcasing the latest innovative solutions\, technologies\, new products and ingredients. Bruce Friedrich\, GFI’s President and Founder\, will lead a fireside chat titled “Alternative Meat: Reflecting on the First 10 Years and Anticipating Many More.” \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBruce Friedrich\n\n\n\nPRESIDENT AND FOUNDER\, GFI \n\n\n\nBruce oversees GFI’s global strategy\, working with and across all of GFI’s international teams (Asia Pacific\, Brazil\, Europe\, India\, Israel\, and United States) to ensure that GFI is maximally effective at implementing programs that deliver mission-focused results. Bruce is a TED Fellow\, Y Combinator alum\, 2021 “American Food Hero” (EatingWell Magazine)\, and popular speaker on food innovation. He has penned op-eds for the Wall Street Journal\, Foreign Policy\, CNN\, Nature Food\, Los Angeles Times\, Wired\, and many other publications. He has represented GFI on the TED Radio Hour\, New Yorker Radio Hour\, Ezra Klein Show\, Making Sense (Sam Harris)\, ReCode Decode\, and other programs and podcasts. Bruce’s 2019 TED talk has been viewed 2.4 million times and translated into 30 languages. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown Law and also holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Economics. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/ift-fireside-chat-program/ LOCATION:McCormick Place\, 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr\, Chicago\, IL\, 60616\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240718T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240718T143000 DTSTAMP:20240702T170206Z CREATED:20240702T170203Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240702T170206Z UID:10000584-1721307600-1721313000@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Science of Alt Protein: CellFood hub — a way to expand interdisciplinary research DESCRIPTION:The Science of Alt Protein: CellFood hub — a way to expand interdisciplinary researchPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin us to discover how research at Aarhus University’s CellFood hub advances the development of cellular foods. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin us on July 18th for our next Science of Alt Protein seminar where Dr. Jette Feveile Young will share insights into the CellFood hub at Aarhus University. The CellFood hub aims to include more and different research environments from the university into cellular food research. She will also give examples of the research conducted on cultivated meat aspects from her own lab at the Institute of Food Science\, including cell culture media without FBS\, a cyclic bio-economy concept\, and basic investigations of lipid incorporation and maturation of cells postharvest with perspectives for taste development. \n\n\n\n*Please note: This seminar will not be recorded\, so you will need to attend the live presentation to benefit from our speaker’s insights. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Jette Feveile Young\n\n\n\nPROFESSORAARHUS UNIVERSITY\, DENMARK \n\n\n\nJette Feveile Young is a professor at the Institute of Food Science\, Aarhus University\, where she has been leading a science group on Differentiated and Biofunctional Food since 2009. She holds an M.Sc. in Food Science from the University of Copenhagen and a Ph.D. from the University of Wales. She did a Post Doc at the Institute of Human Nutrition at the University of Copenhagen and pursued her career at the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research and now at Aarhus University where her research focuses on meat quality as well as studying the nutritional effects of naturally occurring food components using in vitro cell-based model systems. More than 20 years of research experience within meat science and nutrition including in vitro cell-based techniques has led to Dr. Young’s research in several aspects of cultivated meat. She is involved in and leads several projects including a CellFood hub at Aarhus University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-cellfood-hub-a-way-to-expand-interdisciplinary-research/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SCI24041_webinar-graphics-science-of-alt-protein-July_header-featured.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T123000 DTSTAMP:20240723T193448Z CREATED:20240723T153236Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240723T193448Z UID:10000587-1722337200-1722342600@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Business of Alt Protein: Building successful relationships with foodservice companies DESCRIPTION:The Business of Alt Protein: Building successful relationships with foodservice companiesPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI for a webinar that dives into insights and strategies for plant-based companies to win in the foodservice sector. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin GFI for a webinar that dives into insights and strategies for plant-based companies to win in the foodservice sector. \n\n\n\nGFI’s senior market research analyst\, Ben Pierce\, will kick off the event by sharing key insights from GFI’s latest U.S. plant-based foodservice market report. Following his presentation\, GFI’s corporate engagement foodservice lead\, Marika Azoff\, along with three other industry experts\, will discuss best practices for positioning plant-based proteins\, strategies for approaching foodservice companies\, common pitfalls\, and more. This conversation will be focused on the U.S. plant-based market\, but all are welcome to join. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlex Weissman\n\n\n\nCEO\, PALATE INSIGHTS \n\n\n\nAlex is the founder and CEO of Palate – an agile\, authentic product feedback platform focused on accelerating the adoption of sustainable foods. Through Palate’s Chef Panel\, brands can connect with over 150 Executive Chefs across foodservice verticals\, cuisines\, and geographies to develop their innovation pipeline\, improve formulation\, refine GTM strategy\, and improve their sales motion. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEdwina Hughes\n\n\n\nHEAD OF COOLFOOD – SUSTAINABLE DIETS\, WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE \n\n\n\nEdwina Hughes is a sustainable food system specialist. She is head of Coolfood at the World Resources Institute; previously\, she led the corporate responsibility function for Sodexo in the UK and Ireland. In her current role\, Edwina acts as a trusted advisor to member organizations on their sustainable food commitments. Alongside strategic relationship management\, Edwina leverages WRI’s considerable environmental and behavioral science insights to inspire practical action amongst the Coolfood community. Edwina has a 2.1 in Economics and Business and a Masters of Literature in corporate philanthropy from the Business School\, Trinity College Dublin\, Ireland. She lives on the south coast of England and is a year-round sea swimmer. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer DiFrancesco\n\n\n\nDIRECTOR OF CULINARY INNOVATION\, SODEXO CAMPUS \n\n\n\nJennifer DiFrancesco is director of culinary innovation for Sodexo Campus\, leading the development of crave-worthy student menus using insights and innovations to transform dining on campus today and tomorrow. Prior to this position\, Jennifer was the culinary program manager for the Humane Society of the United States. Today\, Jennifer continues to drive plant-based developments and sustainability actions through Sodexo Campus menus with a goal of helping achieve the company’s campus commitment to make 50% of menu offerings plant-based by 2025. She has spent over 20 years in the foodservice industry\, starting her culinary career at Wegmans Food Markets\, before transitioning to the college and university segment. Jennifer’s previous higher education experience includes the University at Buffalo\, Canisius University\, and Buffalo State University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarika Azoff\n\n\n\nCORPORATE ENGAGEMENT LEAD – RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE\, GFI \n\n\n\nMarika works with companies involved in food sales and distribution to increase their sales of and commitment to alternative proteins. Marika first joined GFI with a focus on alternative seafood. Through building relationships with the private sector\, she worked to accelerate the development of alternative seafood globally. Marika earned a BA in Animal Conservation from the University of Rochester and spent the last decade focused on animal conservation and strategic partnerships. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBen Pierce\n\n\n\nSENIOR MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST\, GFI \n\n\n\nBen supports the Corporate Engagement team’s efforts in research and analysis\, bringing experience from the CPG and food industries. Prior to joining GFI\, he served in various sales and marketing roles at General Mills focused on developing category insights\, building customer relationships\, and brand management. Ben’s interest in global food systems was ignited by his time volunteering with Partners in Food Solutions. He earned his BBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-building-successful-relationships-with-foodservice-companies/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/COR24023_webinar-graphics-business-of-alt-protein-July_featured.jpg LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-building-successful-relationships-with-foodservice-companies/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T113000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T130000 DTSTAMP:20240625T151854Z CREATED:20240625T151851Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240625T151854Z UID:10000581-1722339000-1722344400@gfi.org SUMMARY:Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem Solving DESCRIPTION:Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem SolvingPast\n\n\n\n\nCalling all cultivated seafood researchers and innovators! Join us for our next collaborative huddle on July 30th. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin us for an engaging virtual collaborative huddle hosted by The Good Food Institute. This event aims to bring together cultivated seafood researchers and innovators from around the world\, providing them with a unique platform to connect\, network\, and tackle shared challenges head-on. \n\n\n\nDuring the registration process\, we encourage you to select specific topics of interest\, allowing us to create breakout groups that maximize the potential for productive discussions and innovative problem-solving. During this session\, we’ll focus on growth factors\, cell lines\, and improving global collaboration. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues and expand your network at our next collaborative huddle! \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/fish-and-chips-session-one/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SCI24010_webinar-graphics-fish-and-chips-March_featured.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/fish-and-chips-session-one/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T143000 DTSTAMP:20240724T155311Z CREATED:20240724T155308Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240724T155311Z UID:10000588-1722344400-1722349800@gfi.org SUMMARY:What’s the Recipe for a Healthy Climate? DESCRIPTION:What’s the Recipe for a Healthy Climate?Past\n\n\n\n\nJoin Rare Conversations for a farm-to-table conversation with public health expert-turned-social entrepreneur Annie Ryu\, CEO and founder of Jack & Annie’s and The Jackfruit Company. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nYou’ll hear how Annie is disrupting the food system\, sowing sustainability into the supply chain\, and providing a path for healthier people and a healthier planet. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/whats-the-recipe-for-a-healthy-climate/ CATEGORIES:External virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/whats-the-recipe-for-a-healthy-climate/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240730T223000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240731T000000 DTSTAMP:20240625T151907Z CREATED:20240625T151904Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240625T151907Z UID:10000582-1722378600-1722384000@gfi.org SUMMARY:Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem Solving DESCRIPTION:Fish & CHIPS: Collaborative Huddle for Ideation & Problem SolvingPast\n\n\n\n\nCalling all cultivated seafood researchers and innovators! Join us for our next collaborative huddle on July 30th. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin us for an engaging virtual collaborative huddle hosted by The Good Food Institute. This event aims to bring together cultivated seafood researchers and innovators from around the world\, providing them with a unique platform to connect\, network\, and tackle shared challenges head-on. \n\n\n\nFor this session\, we’re featuring an AMA with:Danai Georgiadou\, PhDScientist\, Immune Cell ManufacturingCRISP Meats projectA*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute \n\n\n\nDuring the registration process\, we encourage you to select specific topics of interest\, allowing us to create breakout groups that maximize the potential for productive discussions and innovative problem-solving. During this session\, we’ll focus on growth factors\, cell lines\, and improving global collaboration. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues and expand your network at our next collaborative huddle! \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/fish-and-chips-session-two/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SCI24010_webinar-graphics-fish-and-chips-March_featured.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/fish-and-chips-session-two/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240815T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240815T143000 DTSTAMP:20240715T164736Z CREATED:20240715T164734Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240715T164736Z UID:10000586-1723726800-1723732200@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Science of Alt Protein: From lab to table — harnessing filamentous fungi for sustainable foods DESCRIPTION:The Science of Alt Protein: From lab to table — harnessing filamentous fungi for sustainable foodsPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin us to learn how filamentous fungi can be used to efficiently upcycle food waste into sustainable and delicious food. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe food system contributes approximately a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Transitioning food production from resource-intensive industrial animal agriculture towards microbial processes is critical for minimizing these planetary impacts and feeding a growing population. Filamentous fungi\, a diverse group of microorganisms that includes molds and mushrooms\, are uniquely positioned to lead this shift toward a more sustainable food system. \n\n\n\nDr. Hill-Maini will discuss his work bridging approaches from gastronomy\, synthetic biology\, and systems biology\, to unlock the potential of filamentous fungi for sustainable and delicious foods. Working between the lab\, restaurant kitchens\, and traditional producers\, Dr. Hill-Maini and his team have uncovered mechanisms for efficiently upcycling food waste into human food\, created new synthetic biology tools that enabled fungal bioengineering for enhanced nutrition and sensory appeal\, and translated lab discoveries to new dishes at Michelin-starred restaurants. In the long term\, this work should enable efforts to design fungal foods for health\, sustainability\, and flavor. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVayu Hill-Maini\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nINCOMING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BIOENGINEERINGSTANFORD UNIVERSITY \n\n\n\nVayu is a scientist\, chef\, educator and a current postdoctoral fellow working with Jay Keasling at University of California\, Berkeley. Vayu fell in love with cooking at a young age in his multicultural home in Stockholm\, Sweden. He first moved to the U.S to work in restaurants\, but the flavors\, textures\, and sensations of the kitchen eventually led him to scientific research. He earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Harvard University working in the lab of Emily Balskus\, where he identified and characterized strains and enzymes involved in the metabolism of prominent drugs and dietary compounds in the human gut microbiota. As a Miller Fellow at UC Berkeley\, Vayu has combined his background from the kitchen and the laboratory to tackle challenges in the food system. His current research characterizes and engineers filamentous fungi to produce sustainable and delicious foods. This highly interdisciplinary work has led to new synthetic biology tools for edible fungi\, discovery of a fungus domesticated for conversion of waste to food\, and new dishes at Michelin star restaurants\, including Alchemist in Copenhagen. Vayu loves sharing his passion for food and STEM with the public\, and runs the organization STEAM Chefs\, which uses cooking to teach science in classrooms all around the world. He will continue this work running his own research group as an assistant professor of bioengineering at Stanford University starting in September 2024. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-from-lab-to-table-harnessing-filamentous-fungi-for-sustainable-foods/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SCI24044_webinar-graphics-science-of-alt-protein-August_header-featured.jpg LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-from-lab-to-table-harnessing-filamentous-fungi-for-sustainable-foods/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240820T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240820T131500 DTSTAMP:20240829T181307Z CREATED:20240726T195058Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T181307Z UID:10000589-1724155200-1724159700@gfi.org SUMMARY:Transforming land use: Alternative proteins for U.S. climate and biodiversity success DESCRIPTION:Transforming land use: Alternative proteins for U.S. climate and biodiversity successPast\n\n\n\n\nThis webinar will highlight the exciting findings of GFI’s latest analysis exploring the U.S. land use opportunities enabled by alternative proteins. Discover how diversifying America’s protein sources can help our country reach its environmental and climate goals. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nWatch webinar\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe United States has ambitious land conservation targets and climate goals. We can make significant progress in achieving these goals by diversifying American protein sources to include land-efficient alternative proteins while reducing the proportion of protein derived from land-intensive\, animal-based foods. \n\n\n\nJoin GFI and Highland Economics for a webinar presenting the findings from a recent analysis exploring the U.S. land use opportunities of alternative proteins. Discover how incorporating alternative proteins into the American food supply significantly reduces U.S. land requirements for food production and would enable large-scale restoration of U.S. habitats with significant climate and biodiversity opportunities. \n\n\n\nDuring this webinar\, you’ll learn how alternative proteins: \n\n\n\n\nEnable nature-based solutions by vastly improving the land-use efficiency of American protein sources.\n\n\n\nEnable large-scale restoration of threatened U.S. ecosystems.\n\n\n\nCreate space to maximize carbon sequestration through the restoration of forests and riparian areas.\n\n\n\n\nJoin us to explore how this shift in land use would position the United States to achieve its environmental and climate goals while maintaining its leadership in agriculture and land stewardship. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPri Panescu Scott\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nLEAD SCIENTIST\, PLANT-BASEDTHE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE \n\n\n\nPriera’s role at GFI focuses on accelerating the plant-based meat industry through analyzing their plant-based protein landscape\, identifying emerging technological solutions and bottlenecks\, and communicating with other scientists about advancing alternative protein research. Priera has bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and math from the University of California\, Santa Cruz as well as a master’s and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of California\, Los Angeles. Prior to joining GFI\, Priera spent almost a decade focusing on polymer\, formulation\, and materials chemistry research. Particularly\, she honed these skills for food security applications by creating novel sustainable agriculture materials and compounds. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBarbara Wyse\n\n\n\nPRINCIPAL AND SENIOR ECONOMISTHIGHLAND ECONOMICS \n\n\n\nBarbara specializes in the economics of natural resources and environmental services\, with a particular focus on water\, agriculture\, recreation\, habitat and endangered species\, land use\, and ecosystem services. With an academic background and personal interest in both the natural and social sciences\, Barbara integrates insight and knowledge from ecology\, hydrology\, anthropology\, demography\, and pyschology into her economics work. She has served as an expert witness on a range of economic and demographic issues. For diverse clients\, Barbara identifies the social and economic consequences of alternative management strategies and actions\, values resources and ecosystem services\, and estimates the economic development impacts of policies\, industries\, or actions. She is also experienced in natural resource damage analysis (NRDA)\, comprehensive land use analysis\, NEPA socioeconomic impact analysis\, regional economic impact modeling (using IMPLAN)\, and modeling of tradeoffs using multicriteria analysis. Her particular interest is in developing integrated frameworks and cost benefit analyses to assist natural resource managers in making informed decisions. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/transforming-land-use-alternative-proteins-for-us-climate-and-biodiversity-success/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SCI24003_Land-use-webinar-graphics_featured.jpg LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/transforming-land-use-alternative-proteins-for-us-climate-and-biodiversity-success/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240825T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240828T235959 DTSTAMP:20240711T143831Z CREATED:20240711T143829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240711T143831Z UID:10000585-1724544000-1724889599@gfi.org SUMMARY:Conference of Food Engineering (CoFE) 2024 DESCRIPTION:Conference of Food Engineering (CoFE) 2024Past\n\n\n\n\nThe Society of Food Engineering (SoFE) is hosting the 16th Conference of Food Engineering Sunday – Wednesday\, August 25-28\, 2024 in Seattle\, Washington\, USA. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe purpose of the Society of Food Engineering (SoFE) is the advancement of food engineering. Claire Bomkamp\, GFI’s Senior Lead Scientist\, Cultivated Meat & Seafood will speak on The Good Food Institute’s efforts to create a road map that can provide direction to the scientists and innovators who will ultimately make the technical breakthroughs needed to push cultivated meat into the mainstream. She will discuss learnings and specific needs that allow GFI to make data-driven recommendations to others in the cultivated meat ecosystem and to offer research grant opportunities that are closely aligned with the needs of the industry. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClaire Bomkamp\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nSENIOR LEAD SCIENTIST\, CULTIVATED MEAT & SEAFOOD \n\n\n\nClaire serves as Senior Lead Scientist\, Cultivated Meat & Seafood and is a member of GFI’s Sustainable Seafood Initiative. She focuses on analyzing the technical landscape of the cultivated meat and seafood industry\, identifying bottlenecks\, and engaging researchers in order to move cultivated meat and seafood technology forward. She holds a PhD in neuroscience from the University of British Columbia and a bachelors in behavioral neuroscience from Western Washington University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/conference-of-food-engineering-2024/ LOCATION:The Westin Seattle\, 1900 5th Ave\, Seattle\, Washington\, 98101 CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/COM24004_featured-events_science-academic-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240827T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240829T235959 DTSTAMP:20240611T144249Z CREATED:20240611T144246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240611T144249Z UID:10000577-1724716800-1724975999@gfi.org SUMMARY:Industrializing Cultivated Meat & Seafood Summit DESCRIPTION:Industrializing Cultivated Meat & Seafood SummitPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin us at the 6th Industrializing Cultivated Meat & Seafood Summit! Now is the time for senior stakeholders to unite to share technical insights and case studies to reflect on recent successes and collectivize as your industry enters a critical consolidation phase. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThis summit is a candid forum that brings together the truly influential players in the field\, uniting CEOs\, CSOs\, CTOs\, COOs\, Vice Presidents of R&D\, Strategic Partnerships\, Regulatory Affairs\, investors\, and Heads of Innovation at CPGs\, ingredient providers\, and incumbents to share scientific updates and facilitate strategic partnerships. Laine Clark\, GFI’s Senior Corporate Engagement Manager\, Innovation\, will provide opening and closing remarks and deliver a Quick-Fire Case Study on Initial Work to Cooperate & Achieve Shared Goals. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLaine Clark\n\n\n\nSENIOR CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER\, INNOVATION \n\n\n\nIn addition to founding her own company that she exited through acquisition in 2016\, she has worked with numerous startups for more than 20 years. Since 2017\, she has been an Entrepreneur in Residence for Georgetown University’s Entrepreneurship Initiative at the McDonough School of Business. Additionally\, she has served as an entrepreneurship mentor for George Washington University’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship\, including engagements with the NSF I-Corps Program and the Korean Innovation Center. Laine holds a BA in Communications from Wake Forest University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/industrializing-cultivated-meat-and-seafood-summit/ LOCATION:Hilton Boston Back Bay\, 40 Dalton Street\, Boston\, Massachusetts\, 02115\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240828T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240828T130000 DTSTAMP:20240813T132009Z CREATED:20240813T132006Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T132009Z UID:10000593-1724846400-1724850000@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Business of Alt Protein: Leveraging sensory research to improve plant-based meat DESCRIPTION:The Business of Alt Protein: Leveraging sensory research to improve plant-based meatPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI for our next Business of Alt Protein webinar\, which will focus on how insights from plant-based meat sensory studies can help improve the taste of plant-based meats. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin GFI for our next Business of Alt Protein webinar\, which will focus on how insights from plant-based meat sensory studies can help improve the taste of plant-based meats. Caroline Cotto\, director of NECTAR\, an initiative of Food System Innovations\, will kick off the presentation by summarizing key takeaways from NECTAR’s inaugural publication: Taste of the Industry 2024\, a large-scale sensory analysis of plant-based meats. Attendees will also learn how to interpret NECTAR’s study and how insights from the report can inform their involvement in the plant-based protein industry. The presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaroline Cotto\n\n\n\nDIRECTOR\, FOOD SYSTEM INNOVATIONS \n\n\n\nCaroline Cotto is a Director at Food System Innovations (FSI) where she leads NECTAR\, an initiative accelerating the protein transition with taste. Prior to FSI\, Caroline co-founded Renewal Mill\, an award-winning upcycled food startup. She served as the inaugural board president of the Upcycled Food Association\, the world’s first trade association for upcycled brands. A food and entrepreneurship expert\, Caroline has experience at the UN World Food Programme\, the White House (for Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative)\, Techstars Farm to Fork accelerator\, and HubSpot. She regularly advises and mentors food\, tech\, and circular economy startups. Caroline studied at Georgetown University and served as a Fulbright Fellow in Taiwan. She has been named to both Forbes 30 Under 30 and the 50 Best’s 50 NEXT lists. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-leveraging-sensory-research-to-improve-plant-based-meat/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/COR24025_webinar-graphics-business-of-alt-protein-August_header-featured.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240922T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240929T235959 DTSTAMP:20240919T123221Z CREATED:20240911T180517Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240919T123221Z UID:10000597-1726963200-1727654399@gfi.org SUMMARY:Climate Week NYC 2024 DESCRIPTION:Climate Week NYC 2024Past\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI at Climate Week NYC\, where leaders from across the world gather to drive the transition\, speed up progress\, and champion change! \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nClimate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind\, bringing together over 600 events and activities across the City of New York – in person\, hybrid\, and online. Each year\, business leaders\, political change makers\, local decision-makers\, and civil society representatives from all over the world gather to drive the transition\, speed up progress\, and champion change that is already happening. \n\n\n\nThe event takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and is run in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York. \n\n\n\nGFI Founder and President Bruce Friedrich will be speaking at several events\, including the New York Times changemaker lunch and Giving Green: How to Drive Systemic Change Via High-Impact Climate Donations. GFI Senior Advisor to the President Shayna Fertig will also be speaking at Accelerating Climate Technologies to Scale. \n\n\n\nAdditionally\, GFI will have a presence at Sustainable Stories: Climate\, Food\, and Culture through Diverse Voices. This event will be hosted by the Uproot Project and is co-sponsored by GFI. \n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBruce Friedrich\n\n\n\nPRESIDENT AND FOUNDER\, GFIBruce oversees GFI’s global strategy\, working with and across all of GFI’s international teams (Asia Pacific\, Brazil\, Europe\, India\, Israel\, and United States) to ensure that GFI is maximally effective at implementing programs that deliver mission-focused results. Bruce is a TED Fellow\, Y Combinator alum\, 2021 “American Food Hero” (EatingWell Magazine)\, and popular speaker on food innovation. He has penned op-eds for the Wall Street Journal\, Foreign Policy\, CNN\, Nature Food\, Los Angeles Times\, Wired\, and many other publications. He has represented GFI on the TED Radio Hour\, New Yorker Radio Hour\, Ezra Klein Show\, Making Sense (Sam Harris)\, ReCode Decode\, and other programs and podcasts. Bruce’s 2019 TED talk has been viewed 2.4 million times and translated into 30 languages. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown Law and also holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the London School of Economics. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShayna Fertig\n\n\n\nSENIOR ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENTShayna works closely with GFI’s president to build and maintain high level relationships across influencers in climate\, biodiversity\, and global health. She most recently worked at Impossible Foods leading strategic projects and analytics for their foodservice sales team as a Sales Operations Manager. Prior to Impossible\, Shayna worked at Censeo Consulting Group\, providing strategic and operational support for government agencies and nonprofits. She holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/climate-week-nyc-2024/ CATEGORIES:External hybrid event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/climate-week-nyc-2024/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240924T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240924T133000 DTSTAMP:20240919T161538Z CREATED:20240913T154842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240919T161538Z UID:10000600-1727179200-1727184600@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Business of Alt Protein: Financing alternative protein commercialization DESCRIPTION:The Business of Alt Protein: Financing alternative protein commercializationPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI and a panel of capital providers and industry leaders in our upcoming webinar on financing the commercialization of the alternative protein sector. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin our upcoming webinar on financing the commercialization of the alternative protein sector. GFI consultant Lopa Shah will reveal pivotal insights from the newly released Funding the Build report. Following her presentation\, a panel of capital providers and industry leaders will dive into an engaging discussion\, tackling the key opportunities and challenges of financing the commercial growth of alternative proteins. The event will conclude with an interactive audience Q&A session. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speakers\n\n\n\nLopa Shah\n\n\n\nPRESENTER AND PANEL MODERATOR PRINCIPAL AT CREDIBLE FUTURES \n\n\n\nLopa Shah is a Principal at Credible Futures with 20 years of diverse experience spanning renewable energy and infrastructure financing\, non-profit leadership and alternative proteins. During her investment career at the International Finance Corporation (IFC)\, the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group\, Lopa structured and mobilized over $1 billion in financing for infrastructure and renewable energy projects in emerging markets. Beyond her investment roles\, Lopa was part of the leadership team of Katha\, a grassroots education non-profit in New Delhi\, where she helped expand educational programs and skills training for underserved children and women. \n\n\n\nLopa is now leveraging her experience to improve the sustainability of our food systems\, with a focus on alternative proteins. She is the lead author of the Good Food Institute’s report “Funding the Build\,” which assesses the funding landscape for scaling the alternative protein industry. Lopa holds an MBA from The Wharton School and a dual degree in Finance and International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania’s Huntsman Program. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlessandro Borgogna\n\n\n\nADVISOR AT THE ABU DHABI INVESTMENT OFFICE \n\n\n\nAlessandro is an advisor at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)\, where he leads the development and expansion of key economic clusters to drive Abu Dhabi’s transformation. Before joining ADIO\, Alessandro held several strategic roles at leading companies in the region\, developing over 25 years of business experience in multiple industries. He previously served as Executive Director at Mubadala\, focusing on life sciences\, gaming and entertainment\, food and water\, energy transition\, and travel. Prior to this\, he was a partner and senior member of the industrial\, manufacturing and automotive practice at Strategy & Middle East. \n\n\n\nDuring his professional career\, Alessandro has gained deep expertise across the entire value chain of multiple industries and has insightfully advised governments and corporate players on strategy\, mergers and acquisitions\, innovation\, and transformation. Additionally\, he has co-invested in multiple SMEs across various sectors. Alessandro is passionate about creating impact and supporting the development and diversification of national economies. He holds an MBA from the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan\, Italy\, and a Master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Naples Federico II in Naples\, Italy. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSteve Molino\n\n\n\nPRINCIPAL AT CLEAR CURRENT CAPITAL \n\n\n\nSteve is a Principal at Clear Current Capital (CCC)\, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on catalyzing sustainable change in the food system. With CCC\, Steve is responsible for leading new investment and diligence activities\, portfolio company support\, and internal portfolio management and operational needs. Steve has prior experience at leading mission-driven VC firms\, as well as in the alternative investments and strategy consulting spaces. He is also a mentor for various organizations\, including The Good Food Institute\, ProVeg Incubator\, and Nucleate. He received his a BS in Finance from The College of New Jersey (magna cum laude) and an MBA from Columbia Business School (Deans List). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEtan Bendheim\n\n\n\nCO-FOUNDER AND COO/CBO AT LIBERATION LABS \n\n\n\nOperational savvy executive who drives industry change through investment and strategic partnerships\, Etan has worked in and around fermentation and biotechnology for his entire career. Beginning in healthcare investment banking at UBS\, Etan then transitioned to the industry side\, spending over a decade in strategy and operations roles at Phibro Animal Health Corporation\, a global leader in animal health and nutrition\, before founding LAVVAN\, Inc.\, a pioneering company in using cellular agriculture to manufacture safe and scalable cannabinoids\, in 2019. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaille O’Donnell\n\n\n\nSENIOR POLICY SPECIALIST\, PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND INDUSTRY AT THE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE \n\n\n\nMaille works to catalyze public support for alternative protein commercialization. Her work includes educating stakeholders within the U.S.-based alternative protein ecosystem about government resources that may be available to them and ensuring that agency funders have access to accurate information about the alternative protein industry. Maille has held several positions within GFI\, most recently focused on developing reports and resources on the alternative protein commercial landscape. Before GFI\, Maille held various internships in the policy space\, including with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland\, College Park. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSharyn Murray\n\n\n\nQ&A MODERATORSENIOR MANAGER\, INVESTOR ENGAGEMENT AND FINANCING AT THE GOOD FOOD INSTITUTE \n\n\n\nAs Senior Manager\, Investor Engagement and Financing\, GFI\, Sharyn oversees projects to facilitate commercialization funding for alternative protein companies and provides industry education to the investment community. Prior to joining GFI\, Sharyn spent nearly a decade as an investor and marketing professional at GCM Grosvenor\, where she built expertise in alternative investments. Sharyn is a CFA charter holder and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern University with a BA in Economics and Psychology. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-financing-alternative-protein-commercialization/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/COR24030_webinar-graphics-business-of-alt-protein-September_featured.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-financing-alternative-protein-commercialization/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240926T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240926T143000 DTSTAMP:20250103T144235Z CREATED:20240808T132600Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250103T144235Z UID:10000591-1727355600-1727361000@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Science of Alt Protein: Deconstructing bovine myogenesis for cultivated meat applications DESCRIPTION:The Science of Alt Protein: Deconstructing bovine myogenesis for cultivated meat applicationsPast\n\n\n\n\nLearn about GFI-funded research that has produced an optimized method for muscle generation and a corresponding molecular roadmap that may prove helpful for in vitro meat production. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nView series recordings\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nLivestock farming and conventional meat production pose significant environmental\, health\, and animal welfare challenges. In seeking sustainable alternatives\, cultivated meat technology utilizes in vitro differentiation of myogenic progenitor cells (MPCs) into muscle cells for meat derivation. However\, understanding the molecular determinants governing MPC differentiation into muscle cells\, and the potential enhancement of this process through modulation of signaling pathways\, remains limited. \n\n\n\nAt this seminar\, Dr. Ori Bar-Nur\, Professor at ETH Zurich and GFI grantee\, will share recent efforts to dissect the molecular landscape controlling bovine myogenesis in vitro\, and how he and his colleagues explored its augmentation by small molecules\, collectively reporting a medium that increases MPC differentiation compared to conventional methods. Through bulk and single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics\, they documented that the enhanced medium elicited MPC de-differentiation into unique cell populations\, while simultaneously forming contractile fibers expressing wide arrays of differentiation markers\, significantly resembling myogenesis in vivo. The optimized method for muscle generation and the corresponding molecular roadmap may prove helpful for in vitro meat production. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOri Bar-Nur\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nPROFESSOR OF REGENERATIVE AND MOVEMENT BIOLOGYETH ZURICH \n\n\n\nProfessor Ori Bar-Nur received his Ph.D. with distinction in 2012 from the Hebrew University and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard University in 2018\, both in stem cell biology. Since 2018\, he has served as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich. \n\n\n\nThe primary long-term goal of his laboratory is to develop stem cell-based therapeutic approaches to treat muscle diseases. To this end\, his lab utilizes direct reprogramming approaches to convert somatic cells into regenerative-competent muscle stem cells suitable for potential therapies. Given the lab’s expertise in myogenic cell line cultivation\, his research group further explores means to reduce the costs of cultivated meat production through generation of unique muscle stem cell lines from domesticated animals for cultivated meat applications. \n\n\n\nDr. Bar-Nur has been awarded several prestigious grants\, including the Swiss National Science Foundation Eccellenza grant in 2020. In recent years\, his lab has published prominent works in the stem cell field in leading scientific journals. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-deconstructing-bovine-myogenesis-for-cultivated-meat-applications/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SCI24048_webinar-graphics-science-of-alt-protein-September_header-featured.jpg LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-deconstructing-bovine-myogenesis-for-cultivated-meat-applications/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241001T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241001T113000 DTSTAMP:20240925T182816Z CREATED:20240912T124812Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T182816Z UID:10000598-1727776800-1727782200@gfi.org SUMMARY:Alt Protein Pipelines: Hackathons as innovation and career catalysts DESCRIPTION:Alt Protein Pipelines: Hackathons as innovation and career catalystsPast\n\n\n\n\nHackathons are a novel engagement and training mechanism that offer students the chance to address real-world challenges. Join us to learn how to structure hackathon activities for maximum engagement and lasting impact. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe second installment of the Alt Protein Pipelines webinar series will highlight the Bite-Sized Innovations Hackathon co-hosted by GFI-Europe\, GFI-APAC\, and TUM Venture Labs in June 2024. \n\n\n\nThe goal of this series is to provide case studies and ideas for other people in the education and training world to build their own programs. Each one of these case studies will lean into the ‘how’ of each project or platform so that the audience can walk away with some actionable insights to take back to their institutions and broader ecosystems. \n\n\n\nHackathons are a novel engagement and training mechanism for many people in academia and can offer otherwise unattainable opportunities for participants. In this webinar\, we will hear from team representatives at GFI-APAC and TUM Venture Labs about how they crafted the hackathon and the lessons they learned along the way. They will address topics like how to meaningfully engage industry\, how to leverage that industry engagement into relevant training opportunities for the participants\, and how to structure hackathon activities for maximum engagement and lasting impact. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArin Naidu\n\n\n\nSCITECH ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST\, GFI APAC \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLukas Dillinger\n\n\n\nINNOVATION DIRECTOR\, TUM VENTURE LABS\, FOOD / AGRO / BIOTECH \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNathan Ahlgrim\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nACADEMIC COMMUNITY MANAGER\, gfi \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/alt-protein-pipelines-hackathons-as-innovation-and-career-catalysts/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SCI24023_Alt-Protein-Pipeline-webinar-graphics_header-featured.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/alt-protein-pipelines-hackathons-as-innovation-and-career-catalysts/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241004T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241005T235959 DTSTAMP:20240911T181955Z CREATED:20240808T134959Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240911T181955Z UID:10000592-1728000000-1728172799@gfi.org SUMMARY:2nd International Conference of the Portuguese Association for Cellular Agriculture DESCRIPTION:2nd International Conference of the Portuguese Association for Cellular AgriculturePast\n\n\n\n\nThe second edition of the International Conference of CellAgri Portugal will take place October 4-5\, 2024 in Forum Lisboa. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe goal of the conference is to foster and encourage the collaborative development of cellular agriculture within Portugal\, while also sharing the latest scientific and innovative advancements related to cellular agriculture products\, such as cultivated meat\, fish\, milk\, collagen\, leather or fur\, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Elliot Swartz\, GFI’s Principal Scientist\, Cultivated Meat\, will provide keynote remarks. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nElliot Swartz\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nPRINCIPAL SCIENTIST\, CULTIVATED MEATElliot’s work at GFI focuses on analyzing the technical and economic bottlenecks facing the cultivated meat industry\, identifying opportunities to accelerate the industry\, and educating scientists\, the public\, and other industry stakeholders. For the past five years\, Elliot has worked on projects ranging from food safety and environmental impact to in-depth analysis of the cultivated meat value chain. Elliot holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California\, Los Angeles (UCLA)\, where he worked with induced pluripotent stem cells to model neuromuscular disease. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/2nd-international-conference-of-the-portuguese-association-for-cellular-agriculture/ LOCATION:Instituto Superior Técnico – Taguspark\, Av. Prof. Dr. Cavaco Silva\, Porto Salvo\, Portugal CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/COM24004_featured-events_science-academic-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241008T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241009T235959 DTSTAMP:20240925T133734Z CREATED:20240925T133731Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T133734Z UID:10000604-1728345600-1728518399@gfi.org SUMMARY:Transform Food & Agriculture 2024 DESCRIPTION:Transform Food & Agriculture 2024Past\n\n\n\n\nTransform Food & Agriculture 2024 delivers an impact agenda that transforms executives from thought leaders to change makers. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nTransform Food will gather visionary leaders from across the value chain to shape a unified vision for the future of food—where alternative proteins not only stand out as a key solution for a more sustainable\, resilient food system but also complement the work of farmers and regenerative agriculture. Let’s drive this transformation together. GFI’s Director of Corporate Engagement\, Tessa Hale\, will be speaking on a panel titled “Sustainable Food Systems: Innovative Approaches to Ensure Access for All Consumers.” Hope to see you there! \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTessa Hale\n\n\n\nDIRECTOR OF CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT\, GFI \n\n\n\nTessa works to catalyze a shift to a more sustainable and just food system by overseeing the corporate engagement team’s direct engagement efforts and supporting strategy development and implementation. Tessa brings extensive experience in spearheading large-scale systems change in food systems and workforce development programs. She has also led innovative policy campaigns increasing access to healthy foods and founded and managed a plant-based food business. Tessa is interested in the intersections between sustainability\, health equity\, and social justice. She holds a Master of Science in Nutrition Education from American University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/transform-food-and-agriculture-2024/ LOCATION:The Hutton House\, 10715 S Shore Dr\, Medicine Lake\, MN\, 55441\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241008T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241010T235959 DTSTAMP:20240925T133320Z CREATED:20240925T132847Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T133320Z UID:10000605-1728345600-1728604799@gfi.org SUMMARY:Bridge2Food North America DESCRIPTION:Bridge2Food North AmericaPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI’s business analyst\, Daniel Gertner\, at Bridge2Food North America from October 8-10 in Minneapolis\, Minnesota. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nFocused on the topics of affordability\, taste\, and nutritional value\, the summit programming will address economic challenges and highlight future opportunities in the alternative protein industry. Daniel will present on strategies for scaling the production and distribution of alternative proteins to meet growing consumer interest. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Gertner\n\n\n\nBUSINESS ANALYST\, GFI \n\n\n\nDaniel identifies market opportunities and analyzes the alternative protein industry landscape. Prior to joining GFI\, Daniel conducted research and analytics at a market intelligence and consultancy firm in the food industry. He also worked in various positions in the broader agricultural and bioproducts sectors. Daniel enjoys addressing challenges and embracing opportunities in the food system. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/bridge2food-north-america/ LOCATION:Minneapolis\, MN\, Minneapolis\, Minnesota\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241010T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241010T235959 DTSTAMP:20240401T184730Z CREATED:20240401T184727Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240401T184730Z UID:10000565-1728518400-1728604799@gfi.org SUMMARY:Stakeholder meeting on cell-based food and precision fermentation DESCRIPTION:Stakeholder meeting on cell-based food and precision fermentationPast\n\n\n\n\nThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)\, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is organizing a global stakeholder roundtable meeting on cell-based food and precision fermentation. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nApply\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)\, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is organizing a one-day global stakeholder roundtable meeting on the topic of cell-based food and precision fermentation in October 2024 in Toronto\, Canada. \n\n\n\nRelevant stakeholders are invited to apply to participate in the meeting. You can find the application here. \n\n\n\nFor more details about the meeting and the selection criteria\, please refer to the call for presenters available on the FAO webpage before submitting the application. The application deadline is the end of the day\, 1 July 2024 at the applicant’s local time. Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/stakeholder-meeting-on-cell-based-food-and-precision-fermentation/ CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241014T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T235959 DTSTAMP:20240926T135046Z CREATED:20240926T135043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240926T135046Z UID:10000606-1728864000-1729209599@gfi.org SUMMARY:Sustainable Brands DESCRIPTION:Sustainable BrandsPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI’s corporate engagement lead – retail and foodservice\, Marika Azoff\, at Sustainable Brands SB’24 San Diego from Oct 14-17. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nAll of us feel the mounting pressure to reshape the future of commerce so that business and society can thrive in harmony with nature. It’ll require ongoing breakthroughs in innovation\, properly and ethically deployed for us to reach our goals. Join us in 2024 as together we explore new strategies\, tools and solutions for turning challenge into business opportunity to redesign our brands to win in a changing world. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarika Azoff\n\n\n\nCORPORATE ENGAGEMENT LEAD – RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE\, GFI \n\n\n\nMarika works with companies involved in food sales and distribution to increase their sales of and commitment to alternative proteins. Marika first joined GFI with a focus on alternative seafood. Through building relationships with the private sector\, she worked to accelerate the development of alternative seafood globally. Marika earned a BA in Animal Conservation from the University of Rochester and spent the last decade focused on animal conservation and strategic partnerships. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/sustainable-brands/ LOCATION:Town and Country Resort\, 500 Hotel Cir N\, San Diego\, CA\, 92108\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T143000 DTSTAMP:20250103T144158Z CREATED:20240913T123513Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250103T144158Z UID:10000599-1729170000-1729175400@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Science of Alt Protein: Cultivated milk — How far are we? DESCRIPTION:The Science of Alt Protein: Cultivated milk — How far are we?Past\n\n\n\n\nJoin us to explore groundbreaking research on in vitro cultivation of bovine mammary epithelial cells for producing milk components. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView series recordings\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nAs the demand for dairy products rises and concerns about the environmental impact of traditional milk production grow\, scientists and companies are turning to cellular agriculture as a promising alternative for producing animal proteins. One approach involves the in vitro cultivation of bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs) to produce milk components. However\, challenges remain\, particularly in efficiently stimulating lactogenesis and scaling up production. \n\n\n\nJoin us on October 17th for our next Science of Alt Protein seminar\, where Jing Che of Aarhus University will present her research on the secretomes of in vitro cultivated bMECs using transwell systems. She will also discuss how closely these lab-grown milk components currently resemble conventional milk and the significant challenges that must be overcome to produce milk in vitro. \n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJing Che\n\n\n\nPH.D. CANDIDATEAARHUS UNIVERSITY \n\n\n\nJing Che is a doctoral student at Aarhus University\, Denmark\, where she is a few weeks away from completing her Ph.D. in Food Science. Her research focuses on the proteomic analysis of milk proteins from in vitro cultivated bovine mammary cells and how phosphorylation impacts micelle reassembly for dairy applications. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-cultivated-milk-how-far-are-we/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SCI24054_webinar-graphics-science-of-alt-protein-October_featured.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/the-science-of-alt-protein-cultivated-milk-how-far-are-we/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241028T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241029T235959 DTSTAMP:20241007T124810Z CREATED:20241007T124807Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T124810Z UID:10000609-1730073600-1730246399@gfi.org SUMMARY:NACAS C3X DESCRIPTION:NACAS C3XPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin the NACAS Climate Action Lab on October 29\, 2024\, for a day-long summit focused on transforming university and college food services with climate-positive strategies. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThe NACAS Climate Action Lab taking place on October 29\, 2024\, is a pioneering initiative designed to position university and college food services at the forefront of the transition to a climate-positive economy. This one-day summit at NACAS C3X will convene industry leaders\, innovators\, and stakeholders to drive transformative actions and practical solutions for achieving net-zero or carbon-positive food service operations. \n\n\n\nDuring the session titled “Shifting the Menu: Navigating Plant-Based Solutions for Low Carbon Dining\,” Marika Azoff\, Corporate Engagement Lead at GFI\, will participate as a panelist alongside other leaders in the plant-based food ecosystem. This session will explore how plant-forward solutions can align sustainability\, inclusivity\, and student health\, while providing satisfying dining options\, simplifying food services\, and optimizing costs. Attendees will gain valuable insights on how to implement innovative\, low-carbon dining strategies on their campuses. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarika Azoff\n\n\n\nCORPORATE ENGAGEMENT LEAD – RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICE \n\n\n\nMarika works with companies involved in food sales and distribution to increase their sales of and commitment to alternative proteins. Marika first joined GFI with a focus on alternative seafood. Through building relationships with the private sector\, she worked to accelerate the development of alternative seafood globally. Marika earned a BA in Animal Conservation from the University of Rochester and spent the last decade focused on animal conservation and strategic partnerships. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/nacas-c3x/ LOCATION:Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center\, 6000 W Osceola Pkwy\, Kissimmee\, Florida\, 34746\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241028T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241031T235959 DTSTAMP:20240927T125152Z CREATED:20240927T125149Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240927T125152Z UID:10000607-1730073600-1730419199@gfi.org SUMMARY:SupplySide West DESCRIPTION:SupplySide WestPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin Priera Panescu\, GFI’s Lead Scientist\, Plant-Based at SupplySide West October 28-31\, 2024. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nProduct innovation begins at SupplySide West and Food ingredients North America. Join us for the premier event for dietary supplement and food and beverage professionals. Source ingredients and services\, see what’s trending in product development\, and make connections to drive your brand forward. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPriera Panescu\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nLEAD SCIENTIST\, PLANT-BASED \n\n\n\nPriera’s role at GFI focuses on accelerating the plant-based meat industry through analyzing their plant-based protein landscape\, identifying emerging technological solutions and bottlenecks\, and communicating with other scientists about advancing alternative protein research. Priera has bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and math from the University of California\, Santa Cruz as well as a master’s and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of California\, Los Angeles. Prior to joining GFI\, Priera spent almost a decade focusing on polymer\, formulation\, and materials chemistry research. Particularly\, she honed these skills for food security applications by creating novel sustainable agriculture materials and compounds. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/supplyside-west/ LOCATION:Mandalay Bay\, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd\, Las Vegas\, Nevada\, 89119\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241029T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241031T235959 DTSTAMP:20240913T165028Z CREATED:20240830T131753Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240913T165028Z UID:10000596-1730160000-1730419199@gfi.org SUMMARY:VERGE 24 DESCRIPTION:VERGE 24Past\n\n\n\n\nJoin GFI and over 6\,000 sustainability professionals at VERGE 24\, a leading climate tech event\, to explore emerging trends\, take stock of new technologies\, and work to accelerate the speed and scale of impact. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nVERGE 24 is a three-day climate tech conference that is the center of gravity for professionals catalyzing transformative\, profitable change through decarbonizing their operations and supply chains. It is where practitioners doing the hard\, ongoing work of integrating climate solutions share their successes\, setbacks and insights to smooth the path forward for all. \n\n\n\nGFI will be hosting a partner event at 1 pm on October 31st titled “Circular bioeconomy workshop: Maximize food production while cutting costs & environmental impacts.” Ingredient manufacturers\, agricultural product companies\, supply chain specialists\, government officials\, and investors are invited to participate in this collaborative workshop. Attendees will learn how to tap into high-value crop “leftovers” or sidestreams\, turning costly waste into commercially viable food products. Register here. \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGFI speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmanda Hildebrand\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nVICE PRESIDENT\, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYAmanda holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of California\, Santa Barbara\, and a doctorate in biological systems engineering from the University of California\, Davis. She brings over 13 years of experience in developing and commercializing sustainable bioprocesses. She has led project and functional teams within small start ups and Fortune 500 companies\, with broad knowledge across many fermentation platforms\, production scales\, application areas\, and industries. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/verge-24/ LOCATION:San Jose McEnery Convention Center\, 150 W San Carlos St\, San Jose\, California\, 95113\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241029T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241029T130000 DTSTAMP:20241023T181855Z CREATED:20241023T181853Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241023T181855Z UID:10000616-1730203200-1730206800@gfi.org SUMMARY:The Business of Alt Protein: Overcoming the pilot plant valley of death through collaboration - The Culture Hub DESCRIPTION:The Business of Alt Protein: Overcoming the pilot plant valley of death through collaboration – The Culture HubPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin our upcoming webinar on how collaboration can be used as a powerful tool to overcome the pilot plant valley of death in scaling cultivated food products. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nJoin our upcoming webinar on how collaboration can be used as a powerful tool to overcome the pilot plant valley of death in scaling cultivated food products. Many startups face the daunting hurdle of moving from bench to pre-industrial scale\, which typically requires substantial CapEx. The Cultured Hub\, a joint venture of the Swiss companies Bühler\, Givaudan\, and Migros\, proposes a revolutionary approach–shared resources designed specifically for cultivated food companies. The webinar will include a presentation and audience Q&A. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-overcoming-the-pilot-plant-valley-of-death-through-collaboration-the-culture-hub/ CATEGORIES:GFI - virtual event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/COM24004_featured-events_industry.png LOCATION:https://gfi.org/event/the-business-of-alt-protein-overcoming-the-pilot-plant-valley-of-death-through-collaboration-the-culture-hub/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241030T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241030T160000 DTSTAMP:20241010T145511Z CREATED:20241010T145416Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T145511Z UID:10000612-1730277000-1730304000@gfi.org SUMMARY:2024 IFANCA-Food Diversity Innovation Program Symposium DESCRIPTION:2024 IFANCA-Food Diversity Innovation Program SymposiumPast\n\n\n\n\nJoin Matt Hotze\, GFI’s Senior Director of Science and Technology\, for an enlightening exploration of the future of protein at the IFANCA-FDIP Symposium on Alternative Proteins. \n\n\n\n Share this page on Facebook\n \n Share on Facebook\n\n\n Share this page on Twitter\n \n Share on X\n\n\n Share this page on LinkedIn\n \n Share on LinkedIn\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent description\n\n\n\nThis event is hosted by The Food Science & Technology Department in collaboration with IFANCA’s Food Diversity and Innovation Program (FDIP). The symposium is in conjunction with the joint Alamo and Longhorn section meeting. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of alternative proteins and their potential to shape the future of food! \n\n\n\n\n\nEvent location\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMeet the speaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatt Hotze\, Ph.D.\n\n\n\nSENIOR DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY\, GFI \n\n\n\nMatt has twenty years of experience in research\, academic publishing\, and science leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame\, a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Rice University\, and a doctorate in environmental engineering from Duke University. He loves working with the team to improve taste\, nutrition\, and price for people while creating a sustainable food system for our planet. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUpcoming events\n\n\n\nView all events\n\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n McNamara Alumni Center\n \n \n \n Bridge2Food North America\n \n \n \n Join GFI at Bridge2Food North America\, where food industry leaders will gather to explore the latest developments in ingredient innovation and alternative proteins. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n October 13\, 2026\n FAO Headquarters\n \n \n \n World Food Forum 2026: Protein diversification for the Global South\n \n \n \n How can protein diversification strengthen food systems across the Global South? At the World Food Forum\, GFI and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University will… URL:https://gfi.org/event/2024-ifanca-food-diversity-innovation-program-symposium/ LOCATION:The Shirley & Joe Swinbank ’74 AgriLife Center\, 556 John Kimbrough Boulevard\, College Station\, Texas\, 77843-2140\, United States CATEGORIES:External in-person event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/svg+xml:https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/third-party-event-featured-image_UNIVERSAL.svg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR