2025 F4T Festival Recap
The Festival At A Glance:
3 Field Visits
From Plant to Plate: An Exclusive Tour of Boston Medical Center
From Tissue to Table: The Future of Food at Tufts’ University Kaplan Lab
From Bud to Blossom: Food Systems Change in Action at Eastie Farm
Career Fair & Speed Networking
Our career fair featured over 20 diverse organizations working in public health, food security, biotechnology, environment. Students had an opportunity to jumpstart their careers with speed networking, a headshot booth, and samples.
2 Keynote Speakers
Gene Baur
As Farm Sanctuary’s President, CEO and Co-Founder, Gene Baur has been hailed as “the conscience of the food movement” by Time magazine.A pioneer in undercover investigations and farm animal rescue, Gene has visited hundreds of farms, stockyards, and slaughterhouses, documenting deplorable conditions. His pictures and videos exposing factory farming cruelties have aired nationally and internationally, educating millions about the plight of modern farm animals, and his rescue work inspired an international farm sanctuary movement.
Bruce Friedrich
Bruce is founder & President of the Good Food Institute, a global network of nonprofit science-focused think tanks working on alternative protein policy, science, and corporate engagement.Bruce has penned op-eds for the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy, USA Today, Nature Food and other publications. Bruce has appeared on podcasts including Making Sense (Sam Harris), Ezra Klein, Outrage + Optimism, and others. Bruce is a TED fellow, American Food Hero (EatingWell Magazine 2021), and popular speaker about food technology.
Next Gen Food Expo
Our Food Expo showcased delicious plant-based and alternative protein options from 13 vendors. Their creative, sustainable dishes bring to life the mission of improving food for people, animals, and the planet.
Research Poster Showcase
Over 30 students gathered at the Research Poster Showcase to present their research on alternative proteins, food systems, and related topics. This event highlighted the innovative work of students, recognizing outstanding presentations at our closing awards ceremony.
Meat the Future Challenge Pitch Competition
Hosted in collaboration with the Culley Carlson Foundation, the Meat the Future Challenge was a student pitch competition spotlighting innovative research in the field of cultivated meat. Finalists pitched their projects utilizing components from the IntegriCulture Starter Kit, competing for funding and resources to bring their visions to life.
7 Panels & 5 Workshops
Our panels and interactive workshops featured incredible speakers, including industry professionals, athletes, creatives, and academics. Topics covered diverse aspects of food systems challenges such as alternative proteins, nutrition, food sovereignty, food security, athletic performance, and more.
Attendees At A Glance:
500+ In-Person Attendees
200+ Virtual Attendees
60+ Universities
50 Student Scholarships
$15,000 in prize money
60+ Volunteers
Testemonials:
"I came away from Food 4 Thought 2025 energized and full of new ideas, including strategies that I can bring back to dining on my own campus and to my career ahead.
The festival provided connections to student leaders at peer schools, discussions with experienced changemakers, and — above all — a sense that we're making progress on these challenges together. I cannot wait to return next year!"
Daniel Wang
Brown University
"I so appreciated the enthusiasm of the student attendees and organizers alike at this conference. Students asked me questions for more than 1 hour after my panel and asked such thoughtful questions.
I was thankful for the positive feedback received from other attendees on my panel and workshop and appreciate knowing that the information and ideas I provided will help to strengthen their work. It was also a pleasure working with Lulu, one of the organizers."
Christina Badaracco
Rewire Health
"Food 4 Thought was a refreshing mix of science, creativity, and community. I had the chance to share my research, learn from others doing incredible work, and connect with people who are just as curious and passionate about reimagining the future of food. As a researcher, it made me step back and reflect on the bigger picture of why this work truly matters."
Prerana Balasubramanian
University of Massachusetts
A Taste of Our Food Collaborators
Ramen O' Bowl
We were honored to partner with over 20 student organizations from across the world!
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2025 Harvard sponsors:
2025 sponsors:
The Culley Carlson Foundation
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