This session offers a brief introduction to Chinese Chan meditation and its practical application in daily life. Venerable Xianshu will guide participants in exploring the foundations of mindfulness and insight through lived experience. It will be led by Venerable Xianshu, who was ordained in 2009 and currently serves as the guiding teacher at Luhu Chan Temple in Guangdong and The Art of Mindfulness Foundation. A dedicated Chan Buddhist monk, he integrates meditation, community service, and plant-based advocacy into his teaching. Through writings, workshops, and videos, He shares accessible teachings on mindfulness and insight practice, helping others integrate Buddhist wisdom into daily life.

Festival attendees can pick up their badge at our Registration Booth.

Festival attendees can drop off luggage and coats at our storage room!

MENU:​

• Bagels and Daiya Cream Cheese 

• Oatly Milk samples

• Mellody Plant-Based Honey Bears samples

• Coffee with cellva CoffeeCoa

Bruce Friedrich is Founder & President of the Good Food Institute. He is a global leader in food tech innovation, plant-based and cultivated meat, food security, and climate mitigation. With features in top publications, major podcasts, and a TED Talk with over 2.3 million views, Bruce’s work is shaping the future of food! 

Join us for a dynamic conversation exploring the science and business behind plant-based proteins. This panel will dive into the latest research advancements, product development strategies, and the evolving market landscape. Gain insights into how academia, industry, and marketing are working together to shape a more sustainable food future.
Panelists:

• Kiernan Schmitt, Chief Marketing Officer, Clover Food Lab

• Ana Carla K Sato, Professor, UNICAMP (University of Campinas in Brazil)

Moderator:

• Esther Jin, Student, Tufts Plant Futures

Hosted by University of Nigeria Alt Protein Project
This vital discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities for low- and middle-income countries in Africa as the global food system shifts toward sustainability. Experts will explore how to drive research, policy advocacy, and investment in innovative food solutions tailored to local needs, ensuring an inclusive and equitable food future.
Panelists:

• Kalep Filli, Professor, Modibbo Adama Federal University of Technology Yola, Nigeria

• Professor Ifeoma Mbaeyi-Nwaoha, Department of Science and Technology, University of Nigeria Nsukka

• Ross Miranti, Senior Manager of Partnerships and Development, One Acre Fund

Moderator:
David Omale, Co-Founder & President, University of Nigeria Nsukka Alt Protein Project

Hosted by Protein Diversification Academy
This interactive workshop delves into the complexities of consumer acceptance in shaping sustainable food systems, emphasizing the need for more diverse and robust research. Through a case study on cultivated meat, participants will explore key gaps, opportunities, and useful tips to critically assess and advance consumer research in the future of food.
Moderator:

• Pericle Raverta, Secretary-General, Protein Diversification Academy

Hosted by University of Cambridge Alt Protein Project
Panelists:

• Jennifer Hanson, Lousiana Tech University

• Isaac Agbemafle, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Rhode Island

• Del Afonso, CEO, Harmony Baby Nutrition

This thought-provoking panel delves into the evolving landscape of children’s nutrition, exploring the rise of engineered milk and protein alternatives amid increasing food allergies and cultural dietary shifts. Experts in medicine, nutrition, and policy will unpack the future of childhood health, food accessibility, and the intersection of science, industry, and tradition in shaping what the next generation eats.
Moderator:

• Anvita Guda, MPhil Candidate, University of Cambridge

Experience the future of food at the 2025 Food 4 Thought Festival, showcasing plant-based and alternative protein options. Enjoy creative, sustainable dishes from chefs, startups, and brands committed to improving food for people, animals, and the planet.​
Vendors:​

• Ten One Teahouse 

• Mighty Mudita 

• Wiwas Tempeh 

• Veggie Galaxy 

• Rebellyous Foods 

• Bake Me Healthy 

• Big Mountain Foods

• Ramen O' Bowl 

• OffBeast

• Jack and Annie’s

• Unclassic

• Daiya

The F4T Poster Showcase offers students the chance to present their research on alternative proteins, food systems, and related topics. This platform allows participants to develop presentation skills, engage with experts, and network with peers, while top presentations will be recognized with awards. It's a great opportunity to highlight innovative work in sustainable food systems.

Gene Baur is CEO and Co-Founder of @farmsanctuary, a nonprofit working to end animal agriculture and promote compassionate food choices. Hailed as “the conscience of the food movement” by Time magazine, Gene is a pioneer in undercover investigations and farm animal rescue!

Hosted by Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health Food, Health, & Sustainability
Panelists:

• Sally Powell, Regulatory Affairs SME, MilliporeSigma

• Silvia Berciano, Director of Nutrition & Health Innovation, WISEcode

• Christina Badaracco, Consultant on Healthcare, Nutrition, Food is Medicine, and Culinary Medicine

• ​Suzannah Gerber, Researcher & Author, Tufts University

​This panel explores the population-level health impacts of cultured and plant-based meats, examining their nutritional benefits, food safety considerations, and regulatory challenges. Join experts in public health, food science, policy, and regulation for an insightful discussion on the future of alternative proteins in a healthier food system.

Join Heather Courtney, Founding General Partner at Alwyn Capital, for an engaging workshop on leveraging venture capital for social impact. She’ll share practical insights on how to structure a compelling pitch deck, effectively pitch to VCs, understand the types of investment instruments used in venture capital, and recognize what investors are looking for to help you succeed in the funding landscape.

Join us for the Food 4 Thought Innovations Upgrade Dining Initiative, a student-led campaign advocating for more sustainable and inclusive plant-based dining options at universities nationwide. We’ll celebrate campuses making bold commitments to plant-forward menus, including highlights from University of Massachusetts Amherst Dining, recognized as the #1 campus food, on their leadership in serving plant-forward and global cuisines, and Sodexo Campus, which has committed to a 50% plant-based menu by 2025.
Panelists:
Navin Durbhakula, CEO, Food 4 Thought Innovations
​Ken Toong, Vice Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Amherst Auxiliary Enterprises
Rose Forrest, Sustainability Coordinator, Sodexo

For Upgrade Dining student leads, wear your t-shirts to show support!

Snacks sponsored by Bobo's and Healthy Hippos 

Following the launch event, we will delve into a workshop fostering dialogue between students, university administrators and food companies on the major successes and challenges in expanding sustainable plant-forward dining options. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion where we will be unveiling findings from our “State of the Egg Industry” report and additional data from our Upgrade Dining Initiative across more than 20 universities in the US.

Join us for the Meat the Future Challenge, a student pitch competition spotlighting innovative research in the field of cultivated meat. Hosted in collaboration with the Culley Carlson Foundation, this event empowers aspiring scientists to share novel ideas that advance the development of sustainable, ethical, and scalable meat alternatives. Finalists will pitch projects utilizing components from the IntegriCulture Starter Kit, competing for funding and resources to bring their visions to life. From tackling cost and scalability challenges to exploring cutting-edge applications of food-grade reagents, this event highlights the next generation of solutions driving the future of food.
Judges:

• Brenna Duffy, Director of Responsible Research & Innovation, New Harvest

• Sophia Letcher,  PhD Candidate, Tufts University Center for Cellular Agriculture

• Dr. Natalie Rubio, CEO, Deco Labs

• Daniel Harris, Associate Professor of Engineering, Brown University

Hosted by Tufts University Sustainable CORE Fellows
Join the InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF), Tufts’ Latin American Committee (LAC), Tufts’ Central American Students Association (CASA), and the Sustainable CORE Fellows in talking and acting upon food sovereignty. This event aims to shed light on the multilayered effects that commodity crops have had in Latin America, used as a case study to illustrate the challenges faced in attaining food sovereignty across different sectors. Most importantly, we invite everyone to come participate in our workshop, where we will work together to create tangible initiatives that target food sovereignty in communities important to you and ensure a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Explore the local cuisine through our Festival Dinner Guide!