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Food Program

Transforming food systems to equitably and efficiently feed a more populous planet while conserving and regenerating the natural world.

To view the full VERGE 22 program click here.

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The VERGE 22 Food Program showcases the leaders, organizations and innovations that make global food systems more sustainable, just, nourishing and resilient. Join the conversation to discover the most innovative strategies, technologies and products enabling food systems transformation, and how to break down essential roadblocks that lay in the way.

Tracks:

  • Regenerative Agriculture - sponsored by  

  • Supply Chain Decarbonization

  • Emerging Technologies

  • Food Loss and Waste

  • Shifting Diets - sponsored by 

Participants include professionals in:

  • Retail

  • Manufacturing

  • Distribution

  • Ag solutions

  • Foodservice

  • Research and innovation

  • Policy 

  • Startups

View Food Program

“ Global food systems have demonstrated great resilience to extraordinary shocks since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they still aren’t aligned with the needs of marginalized communities and threatened ecosystems. With workshops, interactive discussions and next-gen tech demonstrations, the VERGE 22 Food Program will provide leading changemakers in food and agriculture with the solutions and connections they need to reverse this trend. ”

Theresa Lieb
Food Systems Analyst
GreenBiz Group

Featured Speakers & Advisors

Emily Ma
Google
Julia Collins
Planet FWD
Arohi Sharma
National Resources Defense Council
Sarah Nolet
Tenacious Ventures
Patrick Brown
Impossible Foods
Anna Bohbot
LinkedIn
Pete Pearson
World Wildlife Fund
Alison Taylor
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Denise Osterhues
The Kroger Co.
Jim Leape
Stanford University

Food Program Highlights

Here is a sampling of sessions from the Food Program.

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What Do Farmers Want? Strategies to Unlock Enrollment in Regenerative Programs

Panel
210B

The pilots have been done, the evidence collected, the white papers written. Now it’s time to engage farmers at scale.

There are as many types of farmers and ranchers as there are people, so there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for convincing farmers to participate in carbon markets and other regenerative agriculture programs. Still, regenerative trailblazers have learned valuable lessons while implementing pilot programs and conducting research. What outcomes should you highlight in your communications? Who is best positioned to conduct outreach? And how do you turn initial interest into actual program enrollment? Our experts will answer these questions and more, helping you kick-start your farmer engagement efforts.

Conference

  • Carbon
  • Food

Speakers

  • Nicole Buckley Biggs
  • Russ Conser
  • Jesse Klein
  • Derek Azevedo
  • Artees Vannett

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Why Emily Ma Pursues the Most Unsexy Work at Google

Workshop
210 A

Dry problems such as proprietary programs and data silos are slowing down food systems reform. Can companies embrace open approaches, turning competitors into collaborators?

As public awareness of our climate and social justice crises rises, food organizations — large and small, nonprofit and for-profit — rush to transform their operations and supply chains. This momentum has resulted in a countless array of regenerative agriculture programs, food rescue platforms and imperfect produce marketplaces. It’s a dream come true, right?

Not for Emily Ma, who leads Google’s Food for Good work. She views the current landscape of climate-friendly food technologies as a maze of confusing standards, expensive integrations and destructive competitions. And she’s not the only one struggling. Farmers faced with an overwhelming number of potential carbon markets to enroll in report decision paralysis. Food manufacturers can’t keep up with their buyers' diverging data disclosure requirements. Corporate cafeterias get overrun with surplus food donation requests, each one requiring a different integration process.

What can we do to streamline these well-meaning efforts and accelerate impact? This workshop led by Emily and other transdisciplinary leaders will unlock a new era of sustainable food practice.

Conference

  • Food

Speakers

  • Emily Ma
  • Stephanie Lepp

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Happening Now: Science-based Targets for Food, Ag and Forestry

Workshop
210A

What you need to know about setting an emissions reduction goal, using SBTi’s new sector guidance.

The Science Based Targets initiative has now defined how quickly and by how much food, agriculture and forestry companies need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. It’s time for companies to get up to speed. This tutorial will help businesses without preexisting targets get started and advise those with targets on how and when to update existing ones. It will explore key issues including accounting for Scope 3 emissions, meeting zero deforestation requirements and using carbon removals.

Conference

  • Carbon
  • Food

Speakers

  • Christa Anderson
  • Martha Stevenson
  • Tetyana Pecherska
  • Noora Singh

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How the World’s Largest Soy Companies Can Stop Deforestation in Brazil

Panel
210B

Halting deforestation and other illegal land-use changes is imperative for a livable future on this planet. To turn the tide in high-risk areas, agriculture companies must work individually as well as collectively with peers, producers, governments and other sectors.

In Brazil, challenges to sustaining vital natural ecosystems have extended beyond the boundaries of the canopied Amazon rainforest. Brazil’s Cerrado, a vast tropical savannah, has become one of the country’s most watched regions. Over the past decade, global demand for soy, beef, leather and mined metals has skyrocketed increasing pressure on nature and traditional and indigenous land stewards.

The commodity processors handling soy supply chains have long worked to change business practices and promised to incentivize suppliers to follow suit. In the Cerrado, soy buyers have increased traceability and reduced deforestation within their supply chains, but recognize that more needs to be done for the sake of people and the planet. Where must these companies collaborate pre-competitively on improved agricultural practices, technology solutions and financial investments? What additional strategies are needed to accelerate progress?

Conference

  • Food

Speakers

  • Lucie Smith
  • David Bennell
  • Alison Taylor
  • Joel Makower
  • Michel Santos

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Own Your Influence to Shape Consumer Food Choices

Panel
210 A

It’s time to use product portfolios and marketing channels to proactively shape sustainable demand.

The average consumer lacks a clear understanding of climate and nutrition science. Even if they tried to adjust their eating habits to address these issues, they would most likely fail. The challenges of navigating accessibility, personal and cultural preferences and the pressure of advertising are simply too great. Food companies, in return, play a much more significant role in shaping demand than they often admit. It’s time to own up to that responsibility. Learn how to redirect consumption to nutritious and low-carbon meals by redesigning your product portfolios, leveraging marketing channels and supporting consumer education campaigns.

Conference

  • Food

Speakers

  • Gesina Beckert
  • Julia Collins
  • Sara Burnett
  • Rebecca Chesney

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Food Tank Summit: Putting DEI Into Practice

Summit
210 B

2:45 pm: Welcome

 

2:50 pm: Is a Better Blue Food System Possible?

3 billion people around the world depend on aquatic foods as their primary source of protein. But fisheries and aquaculture are rife with challenges, including fraud, overfishing, and worker exploitation. Chefs, companies, and other food system advocates are working to make a more sustainable blue food system that is better for people and the environment. What will it take to produce foods more sustainably while maintaining equitable access?

 

3:20 pm: Just BIPOC Sourcing in Corporate Supply Chains 

BIPOC producers have long faced challenges accessing mainstream markets. But food service companies, distributors, food hubs, and restaurants can change this dynamic by leveraging their purchasing power as a force for good. Strategic partnerships between food businesses and BIPOC producers can help to ensure mutual economic success while supporting practices that serve people and the planet. Speakers will share case studies to underscore the influence of purchasing agreements and how technology can help these agreements reach their full potential.

 

3:50 pm: Where Innovation Meets Food Security and Resilience

Technology and innovation are changing how we produce and eat food. They are helping companies and organizations grow fresh produce, keep excess food out of landfills, and ensure that everyone can access healthy meals. Speakers will discuss the unique adaptation strategies their organizations are implementing to mitigate the climate crisis, prevent food waste and develop more just food and agriculture systems.

 

4:20 pm: Fireside Chat with Impossible Foods’ Founder Pat Brown

It’s well known that the adoption of plant-based proteins around the world, especially so in high-income countries, is a critical climate solution. But the social and economic implications of this transition are less discussed. How does the rise of plant-based meat, dairy and egg consumption affect consumer nutrition and health, rural communities and supply chain workers? During this fireside chat, Impossible Foods’ founder Pat Brown will reflect on how alternative protein companies can ensure that their efforts foster equitable and just food systems, in addition to improving environmental outcomes.

 

 

Conference

  • Food

Speakers

  • Jennifer Bushman
  • Imani Black
  • Jim Leape
  • Rebekah Moses
  • Heather Frambach
  • Patricia Carrillo
  • Patrick Brown
  • Eve Birge
  • Denise Osterhues
  • Claire Turner
  • Theresa Lieb
  • Deonna Anderson
  • Paul Schiefer

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The Great Debate: Can Soil Carbon Sequestration Deliver on its Promise?

Panel
210A

Interest in scaling carbon drawdown on agricultural lands is at an all-time high. But markets may be outpacing their scientific and technological foundations.

Can agricultural lands securely and permanently draw down carbon? If so, which companies should have the right to attribute the sequestration toward their net-zero targets? It’s easy to assume that these fundamental questions have been answered given the speed at which soil carbon markets have grown. But the reality is different. Some soil carbon developers claim to operate a robust sequestration approach and advocate for open markets. Other industry players want to restrict the circulation of soil carbon credits within agricultural supply chains. Meanwhile, scientists aren’t yet confident in our ability to sequester carbon in soils and warn companies from relying on them for any form of emissions reduction. Why do these stakeholders disagree?

Conference

  • Carbon
  • Food

Speakers

  • Jocelyn Lavallee
  • Jesse Klein
  • Emma Fuller
  • Jack Jeworski

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Climate and the Farm Bill: A Cheat Sheet for Taking Action

Panel
210B

If you care about climate, biodiversity or racial justice, you should get involved with the farm bill. Here’s how.

The farm bill is one of the U.S’ most sweeping spending packages, and Congress will pass its next edition in 2023. Negotiations are well underway, brokering everything from agriculture and forestry to energy and food assistance. The updated bill has the potential to mainstream nature-based climate solutions, and do so equitably, while also boosting innovative climate technologies. Now is the time for startups and companies to join forces and translate their environmental and social justice priorities into policy action. But what’s the best way to do so? And how should companies balance aspiration and pragmatism to develop policy priorities for today’s highly polarized political reality? Policy experts will share their strategies to efficiently influence the farm bill.

Conference

  • Carbon
  • Energy
  • Food
  • Transport

Speakers

  • Arohi Sharma
  • Matthew Dillon
  • Gwendy Brown
  • Leah Garden

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Repurpose and Recycle: Building the Right Infrastructure for Food Waste

Panel
210B

How can you identify, fund and build systems to deal with your waste — all without undermining food waste reduction efforts?

Despite food waste reduction efforts across the value chain, food and agricultural waste remains abundant and causes significant methane emissions in landfills. In response, a suite of strategies to repurpose and divert waste is emerging, from upcycling and composting to anaerobic digestion. How can you engage at local, regional and national levels to scale the infrastructure needed for your waste stream? What measures should companies take to respect the needs and rights of marginalized communities when planning and operating recycling plants? And how can we ensure that diversion investments won’t stand in the way of ultimately getting rid of waste?

Conference

  • Energy
  • Food

Speakers

  • John Hanselman
  • Sarah Savage
  • Olympia Yarger
  • Suz Okie

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Greener by Default: How to Halve Your Kitchen’s Scope 3 Emissions

Case Study
210A

New research shows that nudging diners to eat climate-friendly food is easier than you think.

Can something as simple as shifting the default option from meat-heavy to plant-rich meals really influence consumer choice? Isn’t that too good to be true? Let LinkedIn and Greener by Default — the non-profit behind the new menu concept — convince you otherwise. They will share best practices and lessons from recent pilots, including how to garner buy-in from stakeholders, implement strategies inclusively and measure success. Learn why this shift presents a potent opportunity to decrease Scope 3 emissions in food service while preserving freedom of choice, improving the inclusivity of food offerings and increasing diner satisfaction.

Conference

  • Food

Speakers

  • Katie Cantrell
  • Anna Bohbot
  • Alicia Jenish-McCarron
  • Andrea Learned

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View More VERGE 22 Programs

Buildings Program

Enabling the transition to smarter, healthier, net-zero buildings, campuses and factories.
Learn More

Carbon Program

Discover the new markets, technologies and products fueling the growth of business opportunities in carbon removal.
Learn More

Energy Program

Decarbonizing, decentralizing and digitizing energy systems to be more resilient, affordable and accessible.
Learn More

Startup Program

Supporting entrepreneurs with innovative technologies, products and services across the climate tech landscape.
Learn More

Transport Program

Accelerating electric, clean and equitable transportation and logistics that reduce emissions and improve lives.
Learn More

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