![food people 11[64]](https://innovation.nutrition.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/food-people-1164-scaled.jpg)
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
Chris Denson
Jackie Haven, MS, RD
Mark Brand
Steve Connell
Kenneth Shen
Robin Shrestha
Graduate Student Cohort
Marie Antoinette Sintim
Program Alumni
Caroline Andrews
Aarti Singh
Daniel Kibet
Sophia Day
Rahul Ramesh
Gbenga Sadik
Priyanshi Somani
Cecilia Karoly-Lister
Dana Norwood
Marilia Ramos
Cole Burnham
Yamilet Perez Aragon
Dure Nayab
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
2022-2023
Her Farm
Student Leaders: Aarti Singh, Daniel Kibet
Food Claims: From Confusion to Clarity
Student Leaders: Caroline Andrews, Priyanshi Somani