What we do
At the intersection of nutrition, foodtech, and economic development
Our Mission
Using an innovation ecosystem approach, our mission is to build the infrastructure for an economy that sits at the intersection of nutrition and foodtech.
Why Nutrition?
Food is essential to human survival and healthy food supports moving from surviving to thriving, physically and economically.
Why Foodtech?
Modernization of the global food supply is happening through AI, robotics, biotech, and data analytics. In order to meet the demands of a rapidly changing planet, technology to improve the food supply is an economic and global imperative.
Our Goals
Convene: We host a globally unique community of leaders, innovators, and investors to identify the shared challenges facing the future of food.
Connect: It’s our superpower! We love making the connections that break down traditional silos to support food system equity and innovation.
Collaborate: Our host, the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, is the only graduate school of nutrition in the US and is a global leader in food system transformation.
We welcome novel collaborations to move the planet forward.
Accomplishments
Built the Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute
The Institute has grown to the largest academically convened food systems consortium in the world and an employer of future food system leaders.
Launched Working Groups
Our community has identified the following areas for collaboration: Sustainable Nutrition, Precision Nutrition, Digital Consumer, Nutrition and AI, Bioactives, Biotech and Novel Ingredients, and Economic Development.
Established Nourish Café
The Institute launched Nourish Café as a place for Tufts students to collaborate, learn, and grow.
Opened the Seeding the Future Food Systems Innovation Lab
With a generous gift from the Seeding the Future Foundation, the Institute opened a food systems innovation lab that teaches leadership and human centered design skills to graduate students across Tufts.
Published Boston Food Tech
The Institute published Boston Food Tech, the first review of it’s kind documenting the ever-growing food technology ecosystem in and around Boston.
Sponsored the Friedman Prize
The Institutes sponsors the annual Friedman Prize at the Tufts $100k New Venture Competition, supporting food system innovation startups.