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F4T Festival Schedule
** Schedule subject to change. Additional events and further details coming soon! **
Day 1 [Friday]
Day 2 [Saturday]
Day 3 [Sunday]
11:30- 7:00 PM
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Registration
Northwest Building Lecture Hall B103 ~200(11:30am - 4:15pm) and Northwest Building Basement (4:30pm - 7:00pm)
Festival attendees can retrieve their badge by checking in at our Registration Booth.
4:00 - 4:30 PM
Official Launch Event
Northwest Building B-103
Kick-off ceremony!
4:30 - 6:30 PM
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Career Fair
Northwest Building Basement
Come prepared to talk with a diverse array of companies working in sustainable food systems!
6:30 - 7:30 PM
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unClassic Foods Sampling Event
Northwest Building Basement
Come sample oyster mushroom plant-based protein!
6:45 - 7:30 PM
Career Mentor Speed Networking
Northwest Building B108
Network with sustainable food systems professionals and gain insights into the food industry.
6:45 - 8:45 PM
Self Guided Restaurant Trips
Off Site
All attendees can use the F4T discount code to purchase dinner at a local participating restuarant.
8:00 - 10:00 PM
VIP Dinner (invite only)
Pagu
VIP dinner and reception at Pagu, known for their innovative Innovative Japanese & Spanish fusion.
8 AM - 5 PM
Registration
Science Center Central Arcade
Attendees can pick up their badge at the Registration desk.
8 AM - 5 PM
Luggage Storage
Science Center Rooms 110 + 111
Attendees can drop off luggage for storage during the day at your convenience. Luggage must be retrieved by 5PM!
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Fitness Series P1 POWER UP: Sustain Your Gains: Discover the Fuel for Lasting Performance and a Stronger Tomorrow
TBA
Hosted by Harvard Extension School Sustainability Student Club
This activity will feature a light, 30-minute workout led by Nike trainer, fitness influencer, and plant-based protein entrepreneur Ale Rubio!
8:30 - 9:15 AM
Breakfast
Science Center Central Arcade
TBA
10:30 - 11:30 AM
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Workshop: Who’s Afraid of Consumer Research? Cultivated Meat Acceptance and the Future of our Food System
Science Center Lecture Hall C
Hosted by The Protein Diversification Academy
This interactive workshop delves into the complexities of consumer acceptance in shaping sustainable food systems, emphasizing the need for diverse, context-driven research. Through a case study on cultivated meat, participants will explore key gaps, opportunities, and practical tools to critically assess and advance consumer research in the future of food.
10:30 - 11:30 AM
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Panel: For a Food-Secure Future: Tackling Hunger on Campus
Science Center Lecture Hall B
Panelists:
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Jessica Cantin, CEO of Food for Free
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Nour Hammad, PhD Candidate at Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health
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Students from Bunker Hill Community College Food Pantry
This dynamic panel uncovers the hidden struggles of food-insecure students at higher education institutions, where assumptions of economic mobility or affluence mask critical gaps in support. Join experts, students, and advocates as they explore bold, innovative strategies to build equitable, sustainable food access across campuses.
11:45- 12:45 AM
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Panel: Leveraging A Career in Policy to Create Food Systems Change
Science Center Lecture Hall B
Hosted by Cornell Animal Advocacy
Panelists:
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Rachel Atcheson, Founder & Executive Director, Food Policy Pathways
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Alex Cerussi, Senior State Policy Manager, Mercy for Animals
This panel explores how careers in government can drive transformative change in food and animal policy, empowering advocates to influence legislation from within. Hear from policy experts on the impact of government roles in shaping food systems and discover how political engagement can be a powerful tool for advancing animal rights advocacy and sustainable food policies.
12:45 - 1:30 PM
Lunch
Science Center Central Arcade
TBA
1:30 - 2:30 PM
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Student Start-up & Entrepreneurship Workshop
Science Center Lecture Hall C
TBA
1:30 - 2:30 PM
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Fitness Series P2 UNLOCK: Sustain Your Gains- Discover the Fuel for Lasting Performance and a Stronger Tomorrow
Science Center Lecture Hall B
Hosted by Harvard Extension School Sustainability Student Club
Fitness Series Part 2, Unlock, is a panel featuring professional athletes sharing the benefits of plant-based eating in sports performance.
2:45 - 3:45 PM
Policy Advocacy Workshop
Science Center Lecture Hall C
Hosted by Christina Badaracco, Consultant on Healthcare, Nutrition, Food is Medicine, and Culinary Medicine
2:45 - 3:45 PM
Blue Foods Panel
Emerson Lecture Hall 105
Through this panel, explore the future of seafood alternative proteins, examining their role in promoting sustainability, ethical labor practices, and food security. Dive into innovations in plant-based, cultivated, and aquatic plant-derived foods—including algae, seaweed, and kelp—as well as the challenges and opportunities in building an equitable and resilient blue food system.
4:00 - 4:30 PM
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Awards Ceremony, Closing Remarks, & Group Picture
Science Center Lecture Hall B
TBA
8:15 AM - 5 PM
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Registration
Emerson Hall 106
Festival attendees can pick up their badge at our Registration Booth.
8:30 - 9:15 AM
Breakfast
Emerson Hall 210
TBA
8:30 - 9:15 AM
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Meditation with Ven. Xian Shu and Director Trinity Olander
TBA
Start Day 2 with mindfulness!
9:15 - 10:00 AM
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Keynote Speech #1: Bruce Friedrich
Emerson Hall 105
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!
10:15 - 11:15 AM
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Panel: Cellular Agriculture in Our Food System- Analyzing the Current Landscape and Future Prospects
Emerson Hall 105
Hosted by Brown University Alt Protein Project and Tufts Alt Protein Project
This forward-thinking panel brings together industry experts to explore how cellular agriculture is transforming food, public health, and sustainability. Join the conversation on cutting-edge advancements, cost-accessibility, and the policies shaping a more just and resilient food future.
10:15 - 11:15 AM
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Panel: Cross-Regional Partnerships in Sustainable Protein Research and Policy Advocacy in LMICs: A Case Study of Africa
Sever Hall 113
Hosted by University of Nigeria Alt Protein Project
Panelists:
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Dr. Victor Ujor, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science at University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Professor Ifeoma Mbaeyi-Nwaoha, Department of Science and Technology, University of Nigeria Nsukka
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.
11:30 - 12:30 PM
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Panel: Childhood Nutrition in the Age of Alternative Dairy and Protein
Emerson Hall 105
Hosted by University of Cambridge Alt Protein Project
Panelists:
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Jennifer Hanson, Lousiana Tech University
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Isaac Agbemafle, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Rhode Island
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, bioengineering, and nutrition will unpack the future of childhood health, food accessibility, and the intersection of science, industry, and tradition in shaping what the next generation eats.
12:30 - 2:30 PM
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Food Festival
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School
Grab lunch and 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.
12:30 - 2:30 PM
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Research Poster Showcase
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School
This year's Food Festival and Research Showcase will be held at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School Main Cafeteria.
3:00 - 3:45 PM
Keynote Speaker #2: Gene Baur
Emerson Hall 105
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!
4:00 - 5:00 PM
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Panel: For a Food-Secure Future- Tackling Hunger on Campus
Emerson Hall 105
Hosted by Harvard Undergraduate Food Security Initiative
This dynamic panel uncovers the hidden struggles of food-insecure students at higher education institutions, where assumptions of economic mobility or affluence mask critical gaps in support. Join experts, students, and advocates as they explore bold, innovative strategies to build equitable, sustainable food access across campuses.
4:00 - 5:00 PM
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Panel: The Public Health Impact of Meat Alternatives
Emerson Hall 105
Hosted by Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health Food, Health, & Sustainability
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.
5:15 - 6:30 PM
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MEAT the Future Challenge Pitch Competition
Emerson Hall 105
MEAT The Future participants will present their cases!
5:15 - 6:15 PM
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Panel: Harvard Council for Student Sustainability Leaders
TBA
TBA
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Self-Guided Restaurant Trips
Offsite
All attendees can use the F4T discount code to purchase dinner at a local participating restuarant.
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