This virtual business conference will highlight the practical steps key actors can take to build more sustainable supply chains and resilient food systems. We’ll assess what supply chain transformation really means on the ground to ensure social, environmental and economic sustainability across the value chain.

Climate action and leadership

How food companies can drive effective climate action throughout the value chain and reduce environmental impact in line with stakeholder expectations and net zero commitments

Farming, land use and nature

Cross commodity insights into sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and how food systems must adapt to ensure long term environmental, social and economic sustainability

Responsible sourcing

How food brands and key actors can work with partners across the value chain to develop and implement robust human rights policies and effective responsible sourcing practices

Innovation and technology

The latest trends, technologies and innovations that will enable sustainable agricultural systems and define the future of food

All timings are in BST

The speakers

Rebecca Marmot

Unilever

Chief Sustainability Officer

Chris Daly

PepsiCo

Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo Europe

Michelle O'Neill

Mars

Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Cocoa

Robert Coviello

Bunge

Chief Sustainability Officer and Government Affairs

Emma Keller

Nestlé

Head of Sustainability at Nestle UK&I

Sophie Throup

Morrisons

Head of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Sourcing

Nicko Debenham

Barry Callebaut

Vice President, Head of Sustainability and Chairman Cocoa Horizons Foundation

Anna Turrell

Tesco

Head of Environment

View all speakers

Agenda highlights

Climate action and leadership: What does “climate positive food” actually mean in practice?
Regenerative agriculture: Greenwash or green revolution?
Farmer perspectives: The key sustainability challenges and successes from the ground
Responsible sourcing: How business can address child labour and elevate upstream social sustainability
Global food waste and the SDGs: Can “circular food” revolutionise waste?
Living income: How can we sustainably close the income gap for farmers?

SBTs in action: How can companies communicate targets and engage the supply chain in real, verifiable reductions?
Natural climate solutions for food: Carbon farming, agroforestry and the solutions that deliver large scale GHG reductions
Will consumers shop their way to sustainability? A debate into the practicalities and realities of consumer engagement
Sustainable seafood: How will the industry respond to growing market concerns on climate change, overfishing, and human rights issues?
DRAGONS DEN: A look into the technologies and practices on the sustainable farm of the future

View full agenda

Why attend an IF virtual conference?

Discover best practices from industry leaders and get detailed, practical guidance on how to effectively implement policies

Meet & network with an influential audience of key stakeholders through speed networking sessions and pre-planned 1:1 meetings

In-depth problem solving around the key issues within hands-on deep dive workshops and face to face discussion

Making connections at the Future of Food

How can attendees network virtually?

Speed networking

No need to hang around the coffee cart to begin making connections - join our virtual speed networking for a series of quick-fire 1:1 meetings. Often the highlight of our virtual events, you will have the opportunity to meet a range of attendees within a short amount of time. Then, follow up with new connections and schedule longer, private meetings to continue the discussion.

Group networking

During group networking sessions, attendees are placed in small groups for more relaxed, informal networking. Groups are rotated so you have the chance to meet a variety of people and leave with fresh connections and potential partners.

Schedule meetings

Often at our online events, discussions begin during sessions and continue behind closed doors for more in-depth conversation. Our platform enables you to easily view, search and filter the full audience by organisation, job title or expertise. Maximise your impact at the event, and effectively manage your day by reaching out to the most relevant delegates to arrange 1:1 and group meetings.

Working groups

During working group sessions all attendees join intimate, face-to-face calls to enable a genuine dialogue and ensure engagement. These sessions are a great opportunity to connect with other attendees who share a common interest and kick-start the conversation.

Innovation Accelerator

Innovation Forum's in-depth research and analysis is designed to provide practical outputs and clear guidance for business

Building resilient smallholder supply chains

Throughout 2020, Innovation Forum conducted in-depth research into the challenges facing smallholder farmers across a range of commodities. The results of this research, along with a series of practical recommendations for action, have been consolidated into a detailed report.

For more information and to download the report, head to the research pages here.

Climate Positive Food

Innovation Forum is launching a new research project to assess climate action within food and beverage supply chains.

The project will assess current business approaches, successes, and failings, whilst also determining the knowledge gaps that will need to be addressed for companies to reach ambitious climate targets.

To get involved or for more information, please get in touch with Tanya Richard.

'Excellent content, great options for meetings, great networking'

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'I was really impressed there were no technical glitches and the whole thing worked really well. Not sure holding the event in person would have added much!'

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'The ease, cost and convenience of joining the virtual conference makes me question whether in person conferences make sense. I was so impressed with the technical, communication, organizing and facilitation skills of the IF team.'

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'The best congress I've attended in term of options to network in 40 years. I will be attending Innovation Forum virtual congresses again and hopefully we can arrange for some of our board/ or network to attend also.'

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'I have to say the platform is fantastic. I’ve been listening in to some of the other sessions – some live and some later on and it’s brilliant to be able to access the content and videos at a time that suits! I’ve also had quite a few people reach out through messages on the platform.'

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What’s different about this forum?

Innovation Forum is:

Candid: Entirely off-the-record discussion that enables open and honest disclosure from speakers and genuine participation from the audience.
Practical: A clear focus on the practical and actionable guidance that can drive change throughout industries and supply chains.
Focused: We provide enough time, resources and expertise to the issues that really matter. We don’t skate the surface, but get to the crux of the issues to provide in-depth, constructive discussion.

Innovation Forum is NOT:

A PR platform: Enthusiastic speakers are NOT given free rein to fill a session presenting their companies, allowing no time to actually get to the crux of the issues.
A talking shop: This is NOT an opportunity for a group people in a room to simply agree with everything said, regardless of outcomes.
All promise, no delivery: We will NOT promise what we can’t deliver. The issues covered are complex. They won’t be solved at a two-day conference. But we will help deliver progress through in-depth, constructive and practical advice around specific issues.