2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
June 11 - 13, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Summit Schedule
From mainstage and breakout sessions to networking events, workshops, solution showcases, happy hours, and more, this year's Summit promises to be our most jam-packed yet.
To assist in planning, here's a preliminary look at what you can expect!
Times subject to change. Details on additional session topic areas and speakers to follow soon.
Registration Open
Field Trips
Field trips are intended to introduce Summit attendees to the local food system in Baltimore and bring food waste and sustainability to life. Transportation and all costs are covered by ReFED.
Staggered departures at 1:00pm and 1:30pm
Pre-Summit Events
Welcome Reception
Registration Open
Breakfast
Mainstage 1 | The Road to Scale: Accelerating Action for Lasting Impact
Mainstage Session
Food waste is a solvable problem, and dozens of high-impact solutions already exist. So what will it take for the food system to finally start adopting them at scale? Our opening session will dig into the answer from a few different angles. We’ll hear an opening keynote from ReFED’s Dana Gunders and be welcomed to the Summit by a White House representative. Then we’ll hear from a series of innovators about how they were able to get their solutions to “break through” with end users. And we’ll close with a keynote by a special guest. As Dana famously said in her opening remarks at last year’s Summit, the time for pilots is over – we know what works, so let’s start doing it.
Networking Break
Bytes to Bites: AI's Role in Tackling Food Waste
Breakout Session 1
Will leveraging AI revolutionize our fight against food waste? From predictive analytics optimizing supply chains to smart sorting systems reducing spoilage, AI offers endless possibilities for revolutionizing food waste measurement and management. But let's not overlook the challenges. This session goes beyond the basics, exploring the complexities of AI's role in tackling food waste head-on. Join us as we delve deep to uncover a holistic view of AI's implications, both good and bad. AI has the power to be more than just a “trendy tool” — it's a paradigm shift in our mission to solve food waste.
The ABCs of Reducing Food Waste in Schools: Nurturing Healthy Habits in the Classroom and Beyond
Breakout Session 1
How can we instruct and instill better food habits from the halls of the classroom to the cafeteria while nurturing healthy habits in students? Join us for an insightful discussion on implementing strategies to minimize food waste and promote nutrition in educational settings. This session will cover how a combination of strategies and interventions — like marketing healthy choices, providing nutrition education, and offering hands-on cooking and gardening programs for students — effectively work in unison to instill lifelong habits of mindful consumption from the classroom to their homes.
Methane Matters: Merging Climate Strategies with Food Waste Solutions
Breakout Session 1
As methane takes center stage in climate strategy discussions, the GHG contributions of the food system — and food waste in particular — have come under scrutiny. Slashing methane, a shorter-lived but potent greenhouse gas, could have cooling effects in the next decade, acting as an “emergency brake” for the climate crisis. Policymakers have honed in on landfill management systems that capture methane from decomposing food, but food waste prevention strategies would not only keep food out of landfills in the first place but also avoid the 93% of food waste emissions that are generated before food becomes waste. Join us in exploring new food waste and methane emission insights, how the food system fits into climate and methane strategy, and specific steps that will act to reduce methane quickly.
The Consumer Conundrum: How Can We Help Them Stop Wasting So Much Food
Breakout Session 1
Is it possible to make it easier, more affordable, and convenient for consumers to cut waste? Join us for an enlightening panel discussion as we delve into the complexities of consumer behavior — examining current research, identifying key data gaps, and highlighting impactful activations. We’ll explore the impact of social norms shaping consumer choices, with a focus on innovative approaches to behavioral design, and discover how shopping, cooking, and eating environments can evolve to facilitate waste reduction and foster a culture that places a greater value on food.
Turning the Tables: Sustainable Solutions and Strategies for Restaurant Operations
Breakout Session 1
In the restaurant industry, people often perceive waste as part of the cost of doing business. But what if we could flip the script? Pull up a seat as we unveil the untapped potential of food waste reduction in foodservice settings. Learn how forward-thinking establishments are rewriting the narrative, turning food waste reduction into a cornerstone of their business and operational strategies. This session will emphasize that food waste isn't simply a moral obligation but a transformative force reshaping the foodservice industry's landscape.
Lunch
Food as Medicine: Reducing Waste for a Healthier Future
Breakout Session 2
Is it possible to harness the power of food as medicine and prioritize nutritional and public health outcomes while simultaneously reducing food waste? In what promises to be an enlightening discussion, we’ll examine the intricate connections between efforts to improve public health and transform our food system. By centering nutritional and public health goals, we'll uncover strategies to optimize food production, value-added processing, distribution, and consumption – all while minimizing waste. Our panel will navigate the complexities of promoting health and sustainability within the food system, offering actionable insights to create a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Let’s Rock the Boat: A Voyage into the World of Sustainable Seafood
Breakout Session 2
What innovative solutions exist for managing seafood waste? In an era when environmental concerns are at the forefront, understanding how sustainable seafood practices and seafood waste reduction intertwine is paramount for shaping a more sustainable food system. Our panel of experts will dive into the challenges and barriers that hinder efforts to reduce seafood waste, highlighting state-of-the-art approaches to ensure the health of marine ecosystems and meet the global demand for seafood – all while reducing waste. We'll examine the importance of sustainable sourcing, certification programs, and the role of consumers in driving positive change within the seafood industry.
From Capital Stack to Impact: Investing in Food Waste Solutions
Breakout Session 2
Join us for a candid chat exploring the funding ecosystem for food waste solutions. In this interactive discussion, we'll break down how different capital types can be leveraged to drive meaningful impact in the fight against food waste. Our panelists will share insights into what has been working in the sector and showcase how various components of the capital stack can work together synergistically. We'll explore impact case studies to highlight successful investment strategies and showcase the transformative power of capital in addressing food waste challenges.
ESG Meets Food Waste: Navigating the Intersection of Sustainable Reporting and Implementation
Breakout Session 2
As sustainability becomes increasingly intertwined with corporate strategies, aligning Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives with efforts to reduce food loss and waste can give businesses an important leg up. This panel session delves into the current landscape of ESG and food loss and waste reporting, identifying opportunities for harmonization, exploring challenges faced by businesses, and showcasing innovative solutions. Join us as we navigate the convergence of sustainability, corporate responsibility, and food systems, exploring how businesses can effectively align their ESG and food loss and waste initiatives to drive positive environmental and social impact while fostering long-term resilience and profitability.
Food Recovery
Breakout Session 2
More details to come soon!
Solution Provider Showcase 1 | Seed to Harvest: Solutions for On-Farm Food Loss
Showcase
Be prepared to be inspired! Our Solution Provider Showcases feature inventive presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to forge connections with like-minded individuals passionate about creating positive change in the food waste sector.
Implementing food loss solutions and establishing best practices for waste reduction at the farm level can build resilience throughout the entire supply chain. From cutting-edge technologies to innovative agricultural practices, presenters will share their visions for cutting waste, maximizing yield efficiency, and creating a more sustainable food production landscape.
Solution Provider Showcase 2 | Plate to Planet: Solutions for Restaurant Food Waste
Showcase
Be prepared to be inspired! Our Solution Provider Showcase features inventive presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to forge connections with like-minded individuals passionate about creating positive change in the food waste sector.
In the fast-paced world of hospitality, minimizing food waste is not just an ethical imperative—it’s also a smart business strategy. And with increasing demand for sustainable dining options, there's a pressing need for convenient, affordable, and scalable solutions that empower restaurants to cut waste without sacrificing quality or profitability. From smart prevention to new food donation models, presenters will share their solutions—each designed to streamline operations, save costs, and shrink environmental footprints.
Solution Provider Showcase 3 | Knowledge to Action: Solutions for Reducing Consumer Food Waste
Showcase
Be prepared to be inspired! Our Solution Provider Showcases feature inventive presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to forge connections with like-minded individuals passionate about creating positive change in the food waste sector.
Consumers generate the most food waste—an alarming fact that underscores the urgent need for effective, practical, and scalable solutions that empower individuals to make every bite count. Join this session to learn about a range of solutions aimed at giving consumers the tools and resources they need to make more informed choices and reduce waste in their daily lives.
Solution Provider Showcase 4 | Byproducts to Brilliance: Solutions for Transforming Food Waste
Showcase
Be prepared to be inspired! Our Solution Provider Showcases feature inventive presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities to forge connections with like-minded individuals passionate about creating positive change in the food waste sector.
Food manufacturing often results in the creation of byproducts that end up being sent to landfill. But there are a number of emerging solutions that can transform these inputs into valuable materials and products that solve sustainability challenges for other industries. In this session, presenters will illustrate the transformative power of circular solutions in bolstering sustainability across multiple sectors.
Mainstage 2 | We Mean Business: Leaning in Across the Food Sector
Mainstage Session
As waste generators, food businesses play a critical role in the fight against food waste. Yet while enthusiasm for waste reduction initiatives is high, it can be hard to translate those commitments into concrete action that yields results. Building on our opening session’s theme of accelerating action, this second mainstage session examines opportunities for food businesses to step up and do their part. We’ll hear from a panel of sustainability leaders from the some of the largest food retailers as they discuss what they’re doing to drive progress in their own operations – and throughout the broader food system. Plus we’ll get updates on some promising opportunities for business collaboration.
Happy Hour Reception
No-Host Dinners
Various
Join friends old and new at a range of Baltimore culinary favorites for our always-popular no host dinners! We'll have sign-up sheets at the event.
Registration Open
Breakfast
Mainstage 3 | Behind the Baltimore Charm: A Deep-Dive into the City’s Food Waste Landscape
Mainstage Session
We love you, Baltimore! When it comes to reducing food waste, Baltimore is innovative, enthusiastic — and successful. From neighborhood composting to citywide waste policies, we’re excited to share some of what makes Charm City a model for food waste action across the nation. Featuring local leaders who will share how city policy is driving action on the state level, you’ll walk away knowing why Baltimore was our first pick for hosting this year’s Summit.
Networking Break
A Fusion of Flavors: The Cultural Footprint of What we Eat and Don’t Eat
Breakout Session 3
Ever wondered how cultural traditions influence our perception of what we deem “edible” and our utilization of food resources? "We are what we eat" is an age-old saying that highlights the profound impact our culinary decisions have on our lives — what, why, how, where, and when we eat all varies across cultures, serving as expressions of identity, social bonds, beliefs, heritage, and more. Come on a journey as we explore how diverse cuisines worldwide ingeniously optimize food scraps, leftovers, and less desirable ingredients. You’ll discover the wisdom behind naturally low-waste diets and eating habits and glean insights for minimizing food waste. Let's explore the rich tapestry of culinary heritage for valuable lessons that can help us build a more sustainable future where no food goes to waste.
All Hands on Deck: Uniting Teams to Tackle Food Waste from Boardroom to Break Room
Breakout Session 3
What can businesses do to empower every team member to champion the fight against food waste? From store clerks to kitchen chefs, employees are the unsung ambassadors with the potential to propel food waste action to the forefront of business operations. To truly succeed in waste reduction, it's imperative to engage every member of your team, as everyone shares the responsibility of maximizing our food resources. This session will highlight successful employee engagement models — discover effective strategies to implement within your organization and join in the sharing of learnings and ideas. It’s all hands on deck to fight food waste!
Digging Deeper: Bridging Infrastructural Needs, Collaboration, and Community Initiatives for Sustainable Food Waste Solutions
Breakout Session 3
How can we achieve circularity with our food and food scraps? Nearly 70% of surplus food is wasted, but composting offers a vital solution. Explore the economic opportunities of composting, including cost savings and job creation. We'll analyze policy frameworks and the power of cross-sector collaboration for systemic change. You’ll discover innovations in food waste tracking and composting technologies and learn about the role of community engagement in driving sustainability. Together we’ll dig into the value of composting and bring to the surface the infrastructure needs that will advance these efforts.
International Philanthropy
Breakout Session 3
More details to come soon!
From A to B: Streamlining Supply Chain Logistics to Tackle Food Waste
Breakout Session 3
In this panel discussion, industry leaders and experts will explore the critical role of logistics optimization in combating food waste throughout the supply chain. From enhancing efficiency in transportation and storage to leveraging data analytics and innovative packaging solutions, this panel will highlight strategies and technologies that can streamline supply chain operations and minimize waste. Whether you're a supply chain professional, sustainability advocate, or policymaker, join us to discover actionable insights and best practices for optimizing logistics to curb waste.
Networking Break
Mainstage 4 & Closing Session | All Together Now: Scaling Action Through High-Value Partnerships & Collaborations
Mainstage Session
Food waste is a systemwide problem, which means no single individual, business, or policy can solve it alone. We can make more progress when we work together — across sectors and industries, and even by collaborating with competitors. Our closing session is all about the power of partners. Sustainability goals shouldn’t be a competitive issue, and you’ll walk away from this session inspired at what can be accomplished when they’re not.
Lunch (with to-go option)
Around the Table: Understanding State and Federal Strategies for Food Waste Reduction
Workshop 1
What does food waste political advocacy look like? The Zero Food Waste Coalition has answers! Join them for this engaging workshop that’s designed to empower attendees to advocate for policies that will drive progress on food loss and waste reduction at the federal, state, and local levels. Brainstorm advocacy strategies, discuss current policy opportunities, and learn how you can be the spark that ignites change.
Around the Table: Accessing Federal Funding
Workshop 2
More details to come soon!
Mapping Solutions: Bridging Gaps in Food Waste Reduction (invitation only)
Workshop 3
How can food businesses and governments solve food waste? What solutions are most effective? What are the promising new solutions? This invitation-only workshop convenes sector leaders, innovators, and practitioners from across the industry spectrum to evaluate existing solutions and explore new approaches in food waste reduction. Participants will engage in a series of focused brainstorming activities to pinpoint gaps in the existing solution landscape critical for addressing persistent challenges in food waste management, and delve into the practical challenges of implementing these solutions. Join us on this journey to unveil innovative strategies that propel us closer to our reduction goals.
Stay tuned for speaker announcements!