Chicago, Illinois - Food Tank, in partnership with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and University of Chicago Booth School of Business, will hold a two-day summit, Wednesday, November 16, 2016 and Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 9AM-5PM. The Summit will take place in the Gleacher Center at University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

The event will bring together more than 70+ expert speakers who are among the top leaders across all sectors of the food industry, including business, government, and elected officials; nonprofit groups; farmers’ organizations; unions; funders; chefs; and more. Each panel will be moderated by an expert journalist or food advocate.

Researchers, farmers, chefs, policy makers, government officials, and students will come together for interactive panels on topics that include nutrient density, investing in the food movement, chefs leading the food movement, farmers innovating agriculture in the midwest, and food justice among other topics. The entire two-day event will be live streamed on www.FoodTank.com.

This event will sell out. Confirmed speakers include (in alphabetical order – many more to be announced soon):

  • Gene Baur, President and Co-Founder, Farm Sanctuary

  • Rick Bayless, Chef and Founder, Frontera Grill and Frontera Farmer Foundation

  • Cara Cummings, Executive Director, The Land Connection

  • Ariane Daguin, Founder and CEO, D’Artagnan

  • Bill Daley, Food Writer and Columnist, Chicago Tribune

  • Monica Eng, Producer, WBEZ Chicago Public Media

  • Fred Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; President of the Board, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

  • Karen Lehman, Director, Fresh Taste

  • Becky Liscum, Founder and Publisher, Edible Chicago

  • David MacLennan, Chairman and CEO, Cargill

  • Juliette Majot, President, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)

  • Angela Mason, Associate Vice President, Urban Agriculture/Windy City Harvest, Chicago Botanic Garden

  • Jeanne Nolan, Founder, The Organic Gardener

  • Denise O’Brien, Founder, Women Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN)

  • Jonathan Pereira, Executive Director, Plant Chicago

  • Harry Rhodes, Executive Director, Growing Home

  • Natalie Shmulik, Food Incubator Consultant, The Hatchery

  • Jim Slama, Founder and President, FamilyFarmed.org  

Sponsors include; Niman Ranch; Organic Valley; and Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition. More to be announced soon.

Last year’s first annual Food Tank Summit in partnership with the George Washington University brought together 400 in-person attendees (completely sold out) from more than 25 states and waiting list of more than 1,500 people. There were an additional 15,520 livestream participants from more than 125 countries. 70+ expert speakers in food and agriculture presented and 11 top food journalists were stage as panel moderators from major media outlets including National Public Radio, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, Voice of America, Politico, and more. This year, Food Tank is quadrupling our reach by hosting additional summits in Washington, D.C., Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Sacramento, CA.

WHO: 70 expert speakers who are among the top leaders across all sectors of the food industry
WHAT: Two-Day Summit hosted by Food Tank, Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and University of Chicago Booth School of Business
WHEN: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 and Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 9AM-5PM. For more information: http://foodtanksummit.com/chicago
WHERE: Gleacher Center 450 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL 60611

About Food Tank
Food Tank is focused on building a global community for safe, healthy, nourished eaters. We spotlight environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty. Food Tank also creates networks of people, organizations, and content that push for food system change.

About University of Chicago Booth School of Business
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest school in the U.S.—and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. The deans and professional staff strive to provide the best business education experience in the world with the expert advice and assistance of many devoted alumni and students.

About Chicago Council on Global Affairs
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. We convene leading global voices and conduct independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. The Council is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business and governments engage the world.