CHICAGO — The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Seeding The Future Foundation announced the return of the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge.
The competition awards a total of $1 million to a range of positions in the food science industry, including engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs from non-profits, social enterprises, universities, research institutions and non-governmental organizations. The award highlights innovations with the potential to transform food systems to be more equitable and sustainable to create safe and nutritious foods.
“Science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship are key pillars to transform food systems on a global level, and the need for climate-positive and human-centered food solutions becomes more urgent every year,” said Bernhard van Lengerich, founder of Seeding The Future Foundation. “The purpose of the challenge is to inspire and reward teams of innovators who are creating impactful ideas that address key issues facing food systems globally. Solutions with the highest likelihood to win are those that focus on the intersection of safe and nutritious food, sustainable practices and equitable access to food that is affordable, attractive and trusted.”
Created three years ago, the Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge has attracted more than 2,400 submissions.
Three levels of awards are provided each year:
- Up to two Grand Prize winners ($250,000 each)
- Up to three Growth Grant winners ($100,000 each)
- Up to eight Seed Grant winners ($25,000 each)
Winners are selected based on the food system innovations and their ability to be executed, a track record of projecting economic feasibility at scale and proven high-impact potential to improve the lives and health of people and the environment.
“For 85 years, IFT has been proud to support the advancement of food through science, technology and innovation,” said Christie Tarantino-Dean, CEO of IFT. “Our diverse and passionate community, represented by more than 100,000 professionals in the food sciences are helping improve food nutrition, security and sustainability every day. We are proud to once again support the challenge as it helps inspire the next generation of food innovators to do the same.”
New to the competition this year, applicants who pass the first phases of the review process will earn a spot in the Seeding The Future Global Food System Innovation Library and Network, a peer-reviewed database of Challenge applicants and their innovations.
Applications for the challenge will be open from November 1-January 6. Interested parties can find more information on the IFT website.
