Baking & Snack - April 2024 - 91

SPECIAL REPORT
Meeting Preview
the future is
COLLABORATIVE
IFT FIRST 2024 brings the food science community
together to address food system challenges.
by Charlotte Atchley
C
Collaboration and innovation come together at the
Institute of Food Technologists' (IFT) FIRST Annual
Event and Expo, held July 14-17 at McCormick Place in
Chicago. This year's programming will explore how food
science and technology can transform the food system.
This theme will be most notable in the Science First
sessions and multi-disciplinary discussions on the latest
research in new technology and innovation, health
and nutrition, sustainability and climate, food safety,
and consumer insights. Food as medicine and artificial
intelligence in food will also be front and center during
Featured Session programming.
In addition, attendees can hear from keynote speaker
Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for human foods at
the US Food and Drug Administration, and Bernhard
van Lengerich, founder of the Seeding the Future
Foundation.
" IFT FIRST has a well-earned reputation for being the
one event the science of food community simply can't
afford to miss, " said Christie Tarantino-Dean, chief executive
officer for IFT. " From dynamic cutting-edge scientific
programming and high-value networking opportunities
to the world's top showcase of science of food
innovation - the expo floor - IFT FIRST is where the
food science community unites to address our biggest
food challenges. "
Returning this year is the Startup Pavilion, where up
to 100 food and food-tech startups will exhibit. Startup
companies will also compete in The Pitch, a speed
pitch competition offering $15,000 in prizes from the
Seeding the Future Foundation. The Startup Pitch finale
is scheduled for July 17. The competition will be
judged by a panel of professionals representing venture
capitalist firms and startup incubators, innovation leaders,
academic researchers, research and design professionals,
and government officials. The finalists will have
the opportunity to attend an invitation-only founders
and funders networking event to connect with potential
investors.
" The Startup Pavilion is an exciting opportunity for
innovative startups from across the globe to showcase
their solutions to investors, key decision-makers and
industry stakeholders that they may not otherwise have
access to, " Tarantino-Dean said. " The Startup Pavilion
encapsulates this year's IFT FIRST theme of collaboration
and innovation as we highlight game-changing
products and applications with the potential to transform
the food system. "
The Innovation Lab also returns this year to close out
the week with both food science and collaboration. This
interactive product development experience challenges
participants to work together to develop a new product
based on a real-world consumer need.
In addition to collaboration and the latest in food
science research, attendees can peruse the expo hall at
McCormick Place for three days, collaborating with
more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world,
offering the latest in ingredients and food technology
trends.
Once again, IFT looks to being the center of collaboration
as the food science community continues to search
for solutions to tomorrow's food challenges.
*
www.bakingbusiness.com / April 2024 Baking & Snack 91
This year's IFT FIRST
expects to bring
thousands of food
science professionals
together to
discuss solutions
that will transform
the food system.
IFT
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - April 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baking & Snack - April 2024
