08:00 AM
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- Registration
Registration
09:00 AM
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- Course
Memorial HallWelcome to Bridge2Food's course! This course is organized in collaboration with the Bezos Center.
09:15 AM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
09:35 AM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
10:15 AM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
10:50 AM
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- Break
- Networking Opportunities
Coffee Break
11:20 AM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
12:00 PM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
12:40 PM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
01:00 PM
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- Course
Memorial Hall
01:10 PM
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- Break
- Networking Opportunities
Lunch Break
02:10 PM
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- Travel Time
- Networking Opportunities
Travel to SunOpta's HeadquartersBuses will be arranged by Bridge2Food to travel from the McNamara Alumni Center to SunOpta's headquarters in Eden Prairie.
03:00 PM
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- Course
SunOpta HeadquartersLook out for some exciting workshops from:
- Novonesis
- Kalsec
- Others TBA
More information will be announced soon.
06:00 PM
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- Travel Time
- Networking Opportunities
Buses will be arranged by Bridge2Food to travel from SunOpta's headquarters back to the main venue, the McNamara Alumni Center.
06:45 PM
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- Welcome Reception
- Networking Opportunities
Welcome ReceptionMemorial HallJoin us for a Welcome Reception to meet peers, colleagues, and speakers at Bridge2Food North America!
08:00 AM
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- Break
Light BreakfastExhibit Area -
- Registration
Registration
09:00 AM
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- Plenary
Memorial Hall
09:15 AM
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- Plenary
Memorial HallLeaders from the food industry have a candid discussion on how they are driving innovation across the protein and food value chains. The conversation will highlight how purposeful leadership, collaboration, and long-term strategy are shaping the future of food - while addressing evolving consumer expectations, market dynamics, and sustainability goals.
09:45 AM
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- Plenary
Memorial HallAddresses the rising critique of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) within the plant-based and alt-protein sectors. Experts debate nutritional science, clean-label strategies, and how brands can balance processing with functionality, nutrition, and taste. Topics covered will include the rising concern over food dyes and other additives, seed oils, and other ingredients commonly used in the plant-based industry and beyond.
10:35 AM
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- Plenary
Memorial HallThis presentation analyzes the sweeping impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on food choices, snacking habits, and product design. Food companies are racing to meet demand for high-protein, portion-controlled, and functional foods that support satiety and wellness.
11:30 AM
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- Plenary
This session examines how U.S. politics and trade shifts under the Trump administration are influencing food prices, product availability, and consumer spending. From tariffs on key ingredients to regulatory changes and inflation pressures, panelists will explore how policy is shaping what Americans eat, how it’s made, and what it costs.
12:00 PM
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- Plenary
Memorial HallHighlights cutting-edge research on cultivated, fermented, and plant-based proteins. Topics include protein functionality, nutrient bioavailability, novel protein sources, sustainability metrics, and novel scaffolding materials. Bringing world experts in the academic world is critical for bridging lab breakthroughs with commercial scalability.
12:50 PM
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- Plenary
Memorial Hall
01:00 PM
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- Break
- Networking Opportunities
Lunch BreakExhibit Area
02:00 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
02:05 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Examines the bifurcation in food tech funding between “moonshot” innovation (e.g., cell-cultured meat) and “back-to-basics” trends (e.g., whole-food simplicity). VC leaders share where capital is flowing amid cautious market sentiment and pressure for near-term returns. -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
02:35 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial HallThe FDA is tightening labeling rules for plant-based products, with new guidance encouraging nutrient comparisons to dairy for plant-based milks and requiring clearer naming (e.g., “soy-based burger”). A proposed Front‑of‑Pack (FOP) nutrition label will flag saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium—driving reformulation and more transparent packaging.
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize plant-forward, nutrient-dense eating, reinforcing the need for health-focused product development. Meanwhile, FDA funding cuts and staffing shortages are reducing resources for food safety, GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) reviews, and new ingredient approvals—potentially delaying innovation for novel plant-based products.
Adding to the shift, a national phase-out of synthetic food dyes—starting with a ban on Red Dye No. 3—will impact formulation for many brands.
This session will explore how these regulatory changes reshape consumer perception, packaging, and marketing—and how plant-based brands can stay ahead by aligning with evolving nutrition policy, ingredient safety standards, and leaner FDA oversight. -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
03:00 PM
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- Break
- Networking Opportunities
Coffee Break
03:30 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial HallThis panel explores how regenerative agriculture is shaping sourcing strategies and storytelling in alternative proteins. Food companies are embedding soil health metrics into procurement, partnering with growers, and using verified claims to build consumer trust. Transparency and third-party validation are key to avoiding greenwashing and meeting evolving retailer and ESG expectations. -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
04:00 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
04:30 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
05:30 PM
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- Networking Opportunities
- Summit Dinner
Summit DinnerNicollet Island Pavilion
06:30 PM
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- Summit Dinner
- Start-Up Pitch Slam
Nicollet Island Pavilion
08:00 AM
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- Break
- Networking Opportunities
Exhibit Area -
- Registration
Registration
09:00 AM
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- Plenary
Memorial Hall
09:30 AM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
09:35 AM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
10:05 AM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
10:30 AM
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- Break
Coffee BreakExhibit Area
11:00 AM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
11:30 AM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
12:00 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
12:30 PM
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- Track 1: Market & Consumer Insights
Memorial Hall -
- Track 2: Product Development & Processing Innovations
Johnson Great Room
01:00 PM
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- Break
Lunch BreakExhibit Area