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UID:4868-1758040200-1758051000@www.chicagoift.org
SUMMARY:Chicago Harvest: Feeding Our Future Sustainably
DESCRIPTION:Beyond Greenwashing\n\n\n\nScaling Real Solutions for a Sustainable Future\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJump to: \n\n\n\nDetails\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\nSponsors\n\n\n\n\nSustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a mandate. But what does it take to move from rhetoric to measurable impact? This panel brings together leaders across food\, energy\, agriculture\, and verification to explore how circular economies\, upcycled ingredients\, waste-to-value systems\, and rigorous sustainability standards can reshape industries and communities. \n\n\n\nFrom turning organic waste into renewable energy\, to producing upcycled prebiotic fibers that reduce food waste and improve nutrition\, to building resilient supply chains—these companies are pioneering tangible solutions that bridge environmental\, social\, and economic needs. \n\n\n\nChicago’s food system is ripe with innovation—from upcycled fibers to circular energy loops and urban fungi farms. This panel brings together trailblazers transforming how we grow\, process\, and power our food future. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDetails\n\n\n\nJoin Dr. Lara Ramdin—scientist\, innovator\, and sustainability storyteller—as she moderates a lively discussion with: \n\n\n\n\n\n4 Star Mushrooms\n\n\n\nRedefining local agriculture through controlled-environment mushroom farming and regenerative practices.\n\n\n\nLearn More\n\n\n\n\n\nGreen Era\n\n\n\nTransforming food waste into renewable energy and compost\, driving urban circular economies.\n\n\n\nLearn More\n\n\n\n\n\nSGS\n\n\n\nA global leader in inspection\, verification\, and certification\, ensuring that sustainability claims stand up to scrutiny\n\n\n\nLearn More\n\n\n\n\n\nCOMET\n\n\n\nUnlocking the value of agricultural leftovers by upcycling them into award-winning prebiotic fibers and ingredients for a healthier planet.\n\n\n\nLearn More\n\n\n\n\n\nThis conversation will unpack how collaboration across sectors can accelerate climate action\, food security\, and equitable economic growth—while calling out greenwashing and ensuring that sustainability is both real and scalable. \n\n\n\nModerated by Dr. Lara Ramdin\, this conversation will dig into: \n\n\n\nHow upcycling and circular systems are scaling in Chicago and beyond \n\n\n\nThe intersection of nutrition\, carbon reduction\, and community impact \n\n\n\nWhy ingredient innovation matters as much as packaging in the sustainability conversation \n\n\n\nWhat collaborations and policies can accelerate these solutions \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCome Early and Take a Tour of Four Star Mushrooms!\n\n\n\nJoin co-founder\, Joe Weber\, on a behind the scenes tour of Four Star Mushrooms\, an urban\, indoor\, specialty mushroom producer. Be there for the 4:30 PM start! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOrder a Box of Mushrooms!\n\n\n\nAs an attendee\, you can take home a box of premium mushrooms for only $6.00. Order as part of your registration and pick up on your way out of the event! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegister Now\n\n\n\nAdd to Calendar\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \nSchedule\n\n\n\n4:30-5:00PMTour Four Star Mushrooms5:00-5:30PMCheck-in\, Networking\, Food/Beverage5:30-6:00PMAbout Four Star Mushrooms6:00-7:00PMPanel Presentation7:00-7:30PMNetworking\, Dessert\n\n\n\n\n\nPricing\n\n\n\n$60.00Members*Unemployed Members Use Discount Code: UNEMP-1010050$70.00Non-Members$30.00Student & Emeritus Members$70.00After Sept. 12 & Walk-ins\n\n\n\n\n\n    Location\n\n\n\nFour Star Mushrooms\n\n\n\n320 N Oakley Blvd.Chicago\, IL 60612 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nParking Directions\n\n\n\nParking lot (Free)\n\n\n\n\nEnter off W. Fulton St. to N. Claremont Ave.\n\n\n\nPark\, then walk through open pedestrian gate to sidewalk on N. Oakley\, where you’ll be able to enter the main door for the event. (you’ll see a Four Star Mushrooms sign on the building).\n\n\n\n\nStreet Parking (Free)\n\n\n\n\nAll street parking on N. Oakley is free. Do not park in front of fire hydrant.\n\n\n\nMain door for the event is on N. Oakley Blvd.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModerator\n\n\n\nDr. Lara Ramdin\n\n\n\nIFT Sustainable Food Division Chair \n\n\n\n\nBio\n\nLara is a design and systems thinking leader working at the intersection of innovation and sustainability. \n\n\n\nShe has held diverse executive roles in Unilever\, Estee Lauder\, Molson Coors\, Dole Sunshine Company and Upcycled Foods Inc. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLara has long been a fervent advocate for shifting the food system from extractive to circular. She has made it her personal mission to accelerate progress at the nexus of food and climate and to empower consumers through education to make healthy nutrition choices for a longer life-span – demonstrating an unparalleled dedication to sustainability and food justice. \n\n\n\nIn her role on the Upcycled Food Foundation board\, Lara drives the scientific understanding of upcycling\, through her leadership of the Research Fellows Program and Chair of the Scientific Committee. She is also the Chair of the Sustainable Food Systems Division. Lara is committed\, driven\, and doesn’t shy away from a challenge or a good debate. \n\n\n\nShe jumps in headfirst and makes things happen and her can-do attitude has served her well\, given the breadth and diversity of impact that she has had across multiple categories including personal care\, prestige beauty\, fine fragrance\, food & beverage and ingredients. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelist\n\n\n\nJoe Weber\n\n\n\nPresident / Founder\, Four Star Mushrooms \n\n\n\n\nBio\n\nJoe Weber’s interests lie at the intersection of ecology\, food\, and design. He believes large-scale restoration of ecological processes\, paired with controlled environment agriculture\, is crucial to solving global issues like climate change\, loss of biodiversity\, feeding a growing population\, food insecurity\, and the diminishing relationship between humans and the natural world. \n\n\n\nHe thinks of creative ways to solve big problems. His passion for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem regeneration led to Four Star Mushrooms’ inception in 2019. \n\n\n\nHe believes that mushroom cultivation is the keystone process required to scale controlled environment agriculture and regenerative agriculture. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelist\n\n\n\nSusannah Sun\n\n\n\nBusiness Intelligence Manager\, Green Era \n\n\n\n\nBio\n\nSusannah Sun is the Business Intelligence Manager at Green Era\, a sustainability campus on Chicago’s South Side that converts food waste into renewable energy\, nutrient-rich compost\, and local economic opportunity. She oversees cross-sector partnerships\, data systems\, and project development\, with a focus on implementing strategies at the intersection of climate and environmental justice. \n\n\n\nHer work supports Green Era’s model of circular infrastructure paired with direct community reinvestment. Through partnerships with community organizations\, food system stakeholders\, and community-led workforce programs\, she helps design systems where environmental value flows back into historically disinvested neighborhoods. \n\n\n\nSusannah holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Northwestern. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelist\n\n\n\nJennifer Lott\n\n\n\nTechnical Development Manager\, SGS \n\n\n\n\nBio\n\nJennifer Lott is the Technical Development Director – Certification and Tailored Solutions at SGS North America. She is passionate about helping companies grow and succeed. \n\n\n\nJennifer specializes in Food and Product Safety Management Systems; her expertise in all things associated with certification\, including training and project management. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanelist\n\n\n\nLoula Merkel\n\n\n\nCEO\, COMET \n\n\n\n\nBio\n\nLoula has over 15 years of experience in agribusiness and energy industries. Previously the Director of Project Development at Coskata\, she was responsible for the development and financing of commercial projects. \n\n\n\nShe also spent 8 years at McKinsey & Company\, serving clients at the intersection of chemicals and agribusiness industries\, including multinational fertilizer\, agrochemical and food companies. \n\n\n\nLoula has an M.A. in Economics from John Hopkins University SAIS and a B.A. in Economics from Loyola University Chicago. \n\n\n\nLoula\, recently at IFT First\, emphasized how sustainability should target ingredients—not just packaging. \n\n\n\nShe highlighted that using upcycled fibers like Arrabina in nutrition bars creates far more meaningful carbon reduction than eco-packaging alone. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Co-Sponsored Event\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFour Star Mushrooms\n\n\n\nFour Star Mushrooms is a controlled environment agriculture company producing premium quality gourmet mushrooms in the heart of Chicago. \n\n\n\nFour Star Mushrooms’ mission is to create a sustainable food system by leveraging mushroom cultivation to upcycle organic byproducts\, grow superfoods\, and build soil. \n\n\n\nOur vision is a future where food is grown sustainably in and around urban centers\, at scale\, allowing our native ecosystems to become strongholds of biological diversity\, sustainable food production\, and carbon sinks. \n\n\n\nWe grow 7 varieties of mushrooms year-round and have acclaim from the best chefs in Chicago. Our values (innovation\, sustainability\, quality\, transparency) are centered on our customers. \n\n\n\nAdditional info: \n\n\n\n\nFIND MUSHROOMS\n\n\n\nSee “jaws drop” on WGN\n\n\n\nSee Four Star Mushrooms Michelin Star collaboration on “The Food Guy”\n\n\n\nLearn Four Star Mushrooms mission on FOX 32\n\n\n\nStar Chefs Chicago 2024 Featured Story\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIFT Sustainable Food Systems Division\n\n\n\nIFT Sustainable Food Systems Division: Exploring a food system that provides healthy food and creates sustainable environmental\, economic\, and social systems. \n\n\n\nLearn more \n\n\n\nLinkedIn \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChicago Section IFT\n\n\n\nThe Chicago Section IFT (CSIFT) is a section of IFT\, serving as a hub of food science professionals in the Chicago area. It provides a platform for local The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization dedicated to advancing the science of food. CSIFT contributes to the broader mission of IFT to advance the science of food on a local level.
URL:https://www.chicagoift.org/event/chicago-harvest-feeding-our-future-sustainability/
LOCATION:Illinois
CATEGORIES:Networking
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