Agenda
Time(EST)
Location
Topic
8:30 am
Lobby
Registration
9:00 am
Main Stage
Welcome Remarks
9:10 am
Main Stage
Opening Keynote
9:30 am
Main Stage
GLP-1, Food Innovation & Community Health: Navigating the New Normal in Chronic Disease Prevention
This session explores the evolving role of food innovation in addressing chronic disease prevention within community and clinical contexts. With rising interest in novel nutritional interventions, functional foods, and technology-driven dietary solutions, there is a growing need to critically assess their scientific validity, implementation challenges, and long-term public health impact.
Academic researchers, healthcare professionals, and food systems scholars will present current findings on the integration of food-based approaches into chronic disease management, discuss frameworks for evaluating health outcomes, and consider ethical and equity implications in deploying such innovations at scale. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary models that translate research into practice and foster collaboration across public health, medicine, nutrition science, and food technology.
Session Chair: Julia Olayanju Ph.D. CSO FoodNiche-ED
Leena Nabzdyk, Ph.D. CEO, Canomiks, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School
Marc Washington – Founder and Chairman, Supergut
Guru Banavar, Ph.D. – Chief Technology Officer, Viome
10:20 am
Main Stage
Aligning Innovation with Impact: Cross-Sector Collaboration for Sustainable and Healthier Food Systems
Improving community health outcomes requires bold collaboration across the food, health, and technology sectors. This session brings together food tech innovators and healthcare professionals to explore how sustainable food solutions can be integrated into preventive health strategies. From nutrient-rich food innovations to digital health tools and medically tailored meal programs, panelists will discuss how to co-create scalable models that address both environmental sustainability and chronic disease prevention.
Together, we’ll explore how data sharing, clinical partnerships, and community engagement can turn scientific and technological breakthroughs into tangible health benefits, particularly for underserved populations.
Session Chair: Anabelle Broadbent, Ph.D. CSO
Samantha Alexandra – CEO , FoodHealth Co.
11:20 pm
Presentation
Solution Showcase (Sponsored Opportunity Available)
11:45 pm
Lobby
POWER LUNCH/NETWORKING
1:00 pm
Main Stage
Keynote II
1:30 pm
Main Stage
Fueling Innovation & Access: Funding the Future of Food for Health
Transforming food systems to support public health requires more than innovative ideas—it demands strategic investment. From sustainable food startups to community-based nutrition programs, access to funding is critical to scale impactful solutions that improve health outcomes and promote equity. This panel brings together leaders from venture capital, philanthropy, public health, and food innovation to discuss how funding can accelerate change at the intersection of food, health, and equity.
Panelists will explore the unique challenges and opportunities in securing venture capital, federal and foundation grants, and public-private partnerships. They will also highlight successful models, offer practical guidance, and address how funders are evaluating impact in this rapidly evolving space.
Session chair: Bunmi Olayanju MBA CFA
Lauren Abda, Partner, Branch Venture Group
Valerie Cobbs, Venture Analyst, Plug and Play Ventures
2:30 pm
Main Stage
The ROI of Preventive Nutrition: How Nutrition Education and Food-Based Interventions Can Reduce Long-Term Healthcare Cost
Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and obesity-related illnesses account for the majority of healthcare spending in the U.S. Yet, many of these conditions are preventable or manageable through targeted nutrition interventions. This panel explores the economic case for investing in food as medicine—analyzing how evidence-based, nutrition-focused programs can reduce healthcare utilization, improve outcomes, and create sustainable cost savings for health systems, insurers, and communities.
Experts from healthcare, policy, insurance, and community health will unpack the latest research, real-world case studies of reimbursable nutrition programs, and lessons from pilot initiatives across diverse populations. Panelists will discuss both successful strategies and missteps, offering insight into what works, what doesn’t, and how to design scalable, effective preventive nutrition models that generate measurable ROI.
Session chair: Saneel Kulkarni, Senior Director, Centene Corporation
3:35 pm
Main Stage
A Journey Into The Future: Turning Innovation into Impact For The Next Generation.
As food technology rapidly advances, it holds immense potential to address public health challenges and improve community well-being. This fireside chat dives into the future, unpacking strategies to enhance health outcomes in our communities with a focus on the next generation.
Dr. Julia Olayanju and Dr. Anabelle Broadbent
4:10 pm
Main Stage
AWARD CEREMONY
Food is Medicine Impact Awards
The Food is Medicine Impact Awards celebrate five exceptional categories of leadership and innovation at the intersection of food, health, and equity:
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Lifetime Voice for Food Justice Award – Honors a visionary advocate whose lifelong work has amplified the call for equitable food access and systemic change.
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Food Systems Impact Award – Recognizes transformative contributions to building healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive food systems.
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Food for Good Award – Celebrates community-rooted initiatives that harness the power of food to uplift, heal, and empower vulnerable populations.
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Global Humanitarian Food Leadership Award – Honors bold, compassionate leadership delivering food relief and resilience in crisis zones worldwide.
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Scientific Innovation in Food & Health Award – Recognizes groundbreaking research and technology unlocking the potential of food to prevent and treat disease.
These awards honor changemakers redefining the role of food in building healthier futures.
This segment starts with video highlights of the honoree’s work, followed by the award presentation and acceptance speech for each category.