Seeding the Future

Established by Dr. Bernhard van Lengerich, the Seeding the Future (STF) Foundation seeks to seed and accelerate innovative, multidisciplinary, and scalable approaches that sustainably and equitably improve the global food supply.

Program Overview

Climate change, nutrition inequities, and increasing urban populations are driving an urgent need for impactful solutions. The Seeding the Future Food System Innovation Lab is training the next generation of leaders through skills such as human centered design and entrepreneurship. Now in its third year, students across Tufts University are collaborating to tackle food insecurity, support for food ventures in developing countries, and more. 

 

Dr. Bernhard van Lengerich

Bernhard completed his Doctorate Degree (Dr.-Ing.) in Food/Biotechnology at the University of Berlin, Germany. His work experience includes Unilever Germany, RJR Nabisco, and Buehler AG in Switzerland. In 1994 Bernhard joined General Mills, Inc. in Minneapolis and was Chief Science Officer and Vice President for Technology Strategy. He led the development of key enabling technologies resulting in major product innovations. Bernhard authored/co-authored over 160 patents and patent applications, established a Game Changer program and created a novel ‘Cashless Venturing’ initiative, enabling faster and more disruptive innovations. Under the Obama Administration, he was an invited participant at the White House Office for Science and Technology Policy for discussions on global protein security. Bernhard retired in 2015 after more than 20 years with General Mills and serves now as a Board Member at several organizations in the US and Europe.

Our Team

Kevin Yuen

Friedman School of Nutrition

Chris Denson

Jackie Haven, MS, RD

Mark Brand

Steve Connell

Kenneth Shen

Robin Shrestha

Graduate Student Cohort

Marie Antoinette Sintim

Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy

Program Alumni

Caroline Andrews

Friedman School

Aarti Singh

Friedman School

Daniel Kibet

Fletcher School

Sophia Day

School of Museum of Fine Arts

Rahul Ramesh

Urban Environmental Planning

Gbenga Sadik

Friedman School

Priyanshi Somani

School of Engineering

Cecilia Karoly-Lister

School of Museum Fine Arts

Dana Norwood

Friedman School

Marilia Ramos

Friedman School

Cole Burnham

Friedman School of Nutrition

Yamilet Perez Aragon

Friedman School of Nutrition

Dure Nayab

Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy

Current Projects

Satiated- Story Lab

Student Leaders (former): Dana Norwood, Rahul Ramesh

Student Leaders (current): Adam Amin, Marie-Antoinette Sintim

Innovator in Residence: Chris Denson

2024-2025

Jackie’s Challenge

Innovator in Residence:           Jackie Haven

 

Yamilet Perez Aragon

Fellowship: Partners in Food Solutions

 

Dure Nayab

Fellowship: Partners in Food Solutions

 

Upcycled Foods – Transforming Waste into Wellness

Student Capstone: Lauren Shamie, MS, RDN

 

To North Omaha, A Reclamation

Student Excerpt: Marie-Antoinette Sintim

 

2023-2024

Tropical Lush

Student Leaders: Oluwagbenga Sadik, Marilia Ramos

 

2022-2023

Her Farm

Student Leaders: Aarti Singh, Daniel Kibet

 

Food Claims: From Confusion to Clarity

Student Leaders: Caroline Andrews, Priyanshi Somani