The Good Food Conference
Charting the global roadmap for alternative proteins
VIRTUAL EVENT | HELD FROM SEPTEMBER 22nd – 24th 2021
The world’s most in-depth, cross-sector gathering focused on the power and potential of alternative proteins to fundamentally change food and agriculture.
Watch conference sessions
Missed GFC 2021? Watch sessions here.
The deepest dive yet on alt proteins
From September 22-24, 2021, GFI brought together 1,500+ scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders from around the world to share data and insights aimed at accelerating change, eliminating obstacles, and scaling solutions for mainstreaming alternative proteins across our global food system.
Everyone showed up knowing the stakes
To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, agriculture-as-usual must change. Alternative proteins are a practical, globally scalable solution that is within our grasp. At GFC 2021, representatives across the public, private, and civil society sectors shared insights and data on the state of alt proteins today. GFC 2021 convened the critical mix of disciplines, decision-makers, and doers who are needed for system-scale change.
Charting the roadmap
Building on key insights on the state of alt proteins today, the three-day gathering focused on the path ahead:
- What scientific, technology, and commercial innovations will be required to transform how food is made?
- What does the policy landscape need to look like?
- What does the market need to look like? Consumer behavior?
- What does an alt protein economy look like in terms of infrastructure, investments, jobs, and labor transitions?
- What sister strategies—from clean energy and carbon markets to biodiversity and ecological restoration—need to accelerate in order for workers, communities, and the entire food system to experience a sustainable, secure, and just transition?
Conference attendees, including scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders
Countries from which attendees hailed
Speakers, expert panelists, and moderators from across the public, private, and civil society sectors
Day-by-day session recordings
Whether you joined us at GFC 2021 or not, everyone is invited to view recordings of our full line-up of plenaries, expert panels, in-depth tech track sessions, and more.
Wednesday, September 22nd
Plenaries and panels
GFC 2021 Kickoff: Charting the global roadmap
Join us as we kick off GFC 2021 with diverse voices from across the field of alt proteins, each underscoring the importance of this moment in time.
Insights on consumer perceptions of alternative proteins
If we build it, will they come? Dive deep into the consumer insights that will determine the trajectory of the alternative protein sector.
Collaborative research ecosystem models
Learn how multi-disciplinary research collaboratives provide the foundational infrastructure required to accelerate R&D in the industry.
Bringing down costs and increasing access
Greater affordability may drastically increase the impact of alternative proteins. What will it take to lower costs and increase access?
Growing the talent pipeline for our future food system
Discover insights from GFI’s labor analysis project and hear from innovative leaders working to grow the alt protein talent pipeline.
Policy directions from the LCA/TEA analyses
Experts discuss policy recommendations based on the recently released techno-economic analysis & life-cycle assessment of cultivated meat.
Climate, land use, and biodiversity
Join experts to discuss how alt proteins are a key solution for climate, biodiversity, and land use.
Day 1 wrap: The five-year journey
Join these absolute icons of alt proteins as they reflect on how far the field has come in five years and why the next five are even more critical.
Thursday, September 23rd
Plenaries, panels, tech track sessions, and pitch slam
Asian innovation hubs—Panel
It’s the fastest-growing consumer market for alt protein—and the only one with cultivated meat for sale—but can it scale up fast enough?
Emerging Asian markets—Panel
Leading talent, agricultural biodiversity, and a thriving manufacturing sector – but can emerging Asia join the alt protein vanguard?
Israel as a rising hub for alt protein opportunities—Panel
With leading startups and researchers, Israel is becoming a global hub for alt proteins. Find out what business opportunities await you.
Brazil: The next global leader in alt proteins?—Panel
Biodiversity, agribusiness, regulatory framework, and consumer market can make Brazil the global leader in the alternative protein sector.
Day 2: On-ramps to innovation
Experts with a deep history of driving scientific innovation share insights on accelerating emerging industries toward tipping points.
A future where alt proteins are no longer alternative
It’s 2040. What does the alternative protein market look like and what did it take to get here?
Tech track: Production equipment innovation
Plant-based meat production is being propelled by novel methods. Learn how LME, HME, and alternatives to extrusion are advancing the field.
Tech track: Advances in media for cultivated meat production
Explore the latest research advancing the development of affordable, animal-free media for cultivated meat production.
The role of alternative proteins in ESG investing and CSR
Hear leading investors, corporations, and standard-setters discuss how alternative proteins fit into the critical ESG investing movement!
Tech track: Precision fermentation for molecular synthesis
Delve into the latest precision fermentation research and learn how this platform is improving the organoleptic qualities of alt proteins.
Tech track: Ingredient processing innovation for PBM
Discover the key breakthroughs that will make processing inputs and ingredients for alternative proteins more effective and affordable.
Pitch slam
Get a sneak peek of fresh ideas from entrepreneurs seeking to make a splash in alternative proteins and solve key market challenges.
Addressing key white spaces: GFI research grant program
Learn from GFI’s grantees how they are tackling the most pressing challenges in alternative protein science to advance the field.
How students will lead the alternative protein revolution
Meet students from around the world who are playing a pivotal role in building the alternative protein ecosystem.
Friday, September 24th
Plenaries and panels
Day 3: Keeping our eyes on the road
Join GFI vice president of policy Jessica Almy and cross-sector colleagues as they discuss near-term milestones that will get us on a path to 2050.
Cultivated meat path to market
Learn how the Singaporean and U.S. governments are ensuring the safety of cultivated meat as it comes to market.
Advancing solutions to key challenges: Infrastructure
Join this discussion on commercializing ingredients, scaling manufacturing capacity, infrastructure funding gaps, and more.
Advancing solutions to key challenges: Sensory
Taste is the #1 barrier to consumer adoption. What are the biggest sensory challenges—and what promising innovations are on the horizon?
Alternative seafood as an ocean policy priority
Why governments should support alternative seafood as an ocean sustainability solution.
Label censorship
Learn about the importance of truthful alternative protein labeling for safety, legality, and consumer acceptance.
Contract manufacturing: Constraints and opportunities
Explore the current co-man landscape, how existing CMO’s are moving into alt proteins, and challenges for startups working with co-mans.
That’s a wrap! What’s ahead
Join Ezra Klein live as he interviews Bruce Friedrich at the end of GFC 2021, with key takeaways and reflections from a global team of GFI’ers.
2021 Sponsors
Stay connected and engaged: GFIdeas Community
While GFC 2021 brought together multi-disciplinary experts and change-makers in a single event, it’s critical that we all regularly connect and collaborate if we are to collectively shift our global food system at the scale and pace needed. GFIdeas is a community designed for this purpose, convening people from across the alt protein sector to make connections, discover the latest research, learn from food industry experts, and support each other in building a sustainable, secure, and just food system. We welcome everyone dedicated to alternative proteins — from students to investors to our donors — to share this space and grow the good food community.
Upcoming events
Join us at an upcoming webinar, seminar, or alternative proteins industry event.
Ask GFI: Alt Protein Careers
Are you interested in working in alternative protein? Join SciTech university innovation specialist, Christina Aguila, to learn more about what it takes to pursue an academic or industry career in…
Future Food-Tech New York
Future Food-Tech’s dedicated Alternative Proteins Summit brings the alternative protein industry together to explore new approaches to scaling novel technologies.
Ask GFI: Alt Protein Careers
Are you interested in working in alternative protein? Join SciTech university innovation specialist, Christina Aguila, to learn more about what it takes to pursue an academic or industry career in…
Food Innovation and Investment Summit
The Food Innovation & Investment Summit features two days of sessions, networking, and an innovation showcase highlighting food innovation, including alternative proteins.
The Vegan Women Summit
Join the Vegan Women’s Summit to connect with leading CEOs, celebrities, investors, and other leaders working to build an animal-free future.
The Science of Alt Protein: The environmental impact of cultivated meat production
Join GFI Lead Scientist Elliot Swartz, Ph.D., for a review of key insights from a recently published life cycle assessment (LCA) modeling a future large-scale cultivated meat production facility.
GFIdeas plant-based meat networking mixer
Join us for a networking event focused on the plant-based meat industry!
The Business of Alt Protein: Taking alternative proteins mainstream
Join GFI and Boston Consulting Group, a global management consulting firm, for a discussion on what it will take for alternative proteins to become mainstream.
