Centre Stage
Registration and Welcome Reception
September 12 • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Centre Stage
Food Forward 2025 will take place on September 12th and 13th, 2025, at the St. John's Convention Centre
Select a date to see events.
Centre Stage
Opening Remarks
September 12 • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Centre Stage
Centre Stage
Session 1: The Honorable Lisa Dempster
September 12 • 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM
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The Honorable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry & Agriculture and Minister of Labrador Affairs, Government of Newfoundland
Centre Stage
Session 2: Mystery Furtado
September 12 • 9:30 AM – 9:55 AM
Centre Stage
Mystery Futardo
Founder, Diabeat‑It (Canada)
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Session 3: Jasmine Jesso
September 12 • 9:55 AM – 10:30 AM
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Jasmine Jesso
Newfoundland Naturals, Newfoundland & Labrador
Centre Stage
Session 4: Fireside Chat with Alison Snow, Dan Rubin, Mystery Furtado, Tom Cho
September 12 • 10:30 AM – 11:25 AM
Centre Stage
Alison Snow
Chairperson, Food Producers’ Forum
Tom Cho
Writer and editor, Community Food Centres Canada
Mystery Furtado
Founder, Diabeat‑It (Canada)
Dan Rubin
Founding Chair, Food Producers Forum (Canada)
Centre Stage
Session 5: Marie Jose Mastromonaco
September 12 • 11:25 AM – 11:40 AM
Centre Stage
Marie-José Mastromonaco
Directrice des Opérations, Second Harvest
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Session 6: Veronika Sherova
September 12 • 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM
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Veronika Sherova
Digital Agriculture Specialist, FAO (UN)
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Lunch and Exhibitor’s Fair
September 12 • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
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Centre Stage
Entrepreneurship Workshop by Tammy Snook
September 12 • 1:00 PM – 1:40 PM
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Tammy Snook
Founder, Rising Tide Consulting (Newfoundland & Labrador)
Centre Stage
Session 7: Joshua Smee and Jen Crowe
September 12 • 1:40 PM – 2:10 PM
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Joshua Smee
CEO, Food First NL
Jennifer Crowe
Executive Director, Choices for Youth (Canada)
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Session 8: Mehnaz Tabassum and Saif Ahmed
September 12 • 2:10 PM – 3:00 PM
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Mehnaz Tabassum
CEO, CogniCo AI Consulting & Executive Director of Operations and Partnerships, NL Eats
Saif Ahmed
Co‑founder and Chief Innovation Officer, NL Eats
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Surprise Performance
September 12 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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Centre Stage
Closing Remarks
September 12 • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
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Networking Social at The Quidi Vidi Brewery
September 12 • 8:00 PM – End
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Registration and Welcome Reception
September 13 • 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Centre Stage
Centre Stage
Opening Remarks
September 13 • 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM
Centre Stage
Centre Stage
Session 1: Atif Rashid
September 13 • 9:10 AM – 9:30 AM
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Atif Rashid
Founder, Inspire1 IV Consulting (Canada)
Centre Stage
Session 2: Darlene Spracklin-Reid
September 13 • 9:30 AM – 9:55 AM
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Centre Stage
Session 3: Ujjwal Kumar
September 13 • 9:55 AM – 10:15 AM
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Ujjwal Kumar
Founder, Quantum Alliance (USA)
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Session 4: Tulin Akin & Tuna Dipcin
September 13 • 10:15 AM – 10:40 AM
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Tuna Dipçin
Co-Founder, AgriGo.ai
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Session 5: Keynote: Sandra Baer
September 13 • 10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
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Sandra Baer
President, Personal Cities (USA)
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Session 6: Momodou Barry
September 13 • 11:10 AM – 11:25 AM
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Momodou Barry
Global Ambassador, Human Rights and Peace (Gambia)
Centre Stage
Session 7: Abu Saied Co-Authored by Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi
September 13 • 11:25 AM – 11:50 AM
Centre Stage
Abu Saeid
Senior Lecturer (Dept. of Nutrition and Food Engineering), Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
Centre Stage
Lunch and Exhibitor’s Fair
September 13 • 11:50 AM – 12:45 PM
Centre Stage
Centre Stage
Entrepreneurship Workshop by Dean MacIsaac
September 13 • 11:50 AM – 12:55 PM
Centre Stage
Dean MacIsaac
Co-Founder, HeadCase, Genesis
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Session 8: Keynote: Jerome Foster II
September 13 • 12:55 PM – 1:30 PM
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Jerome Foster II
White House Environmental Justice, Advisory Council (USA)
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NLEats Special Launch: R2ASP Program
September 13 • 1:35 PM – 2:45 PM
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Centre Stage
Innovation Challenge Presentations
September 13 • 2:45 PM – 4:05 PM
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Centre Stage
Session 9: Fireside Chat (Virtual) with Evan Fraser, Momodou Barry, Leticia Ama Deawuo
September 13 • 4:05 PM – 4:40 PM
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Leticia Ama Deawuo
Executive Director, Environmental Leadership Canada
Momodou Barry
Global Ambassador, Human Rights and Peace (Gambia)
Evan Fraser
Director, Arrell Food Institute, University of Guelph
Centre Stage
Awards Ceremony: Innovation Challenge
September 13 • 4:40 PM – 5:00 PM
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Centre Stage
Closing Remarks
September 13 • 5:00 PM – End
Centre Stage
Contact form
FAQ
What is FOOD FORWARD 2025?
FOOD FORWARD 2025 is NL Eats' flagship food systems innovation conference happening on September 12–13, 2025 in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador. The event brings together thought leaders in food security, agriculture, technology, and public health to inspire innovation, collaboration, and community action.
Who is the conference for?
FOOD FORWARD 2025 is designed for professionals, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, government officials, and community leaders working in or interested in food systems, sustainability, technology, public health, agriculture, and social innovation.
Where is the conference taking place?
The conference will take place in downtown St. John’s, Newfoundland. The exact venue and parking details will be shared with ticket holders in advance.
Are meals included with the ticket?
Yes! Light refreshments, coffee/tea, and a light lunch will be provided on both days. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated — you’ll have a chance to indicate preferences during registration.
What kinds of sessions or topics can I expect?
*Attendees can expect panels, workshops, and keynotes on topics such as:
- Food security and innovation
- Agri-tech and climate-smart farming
- Indigenous and community-led food systems
- Youth leadership in food justice
- Public policy and food access*
Can I attend virtually if I’m not in St. John’s?
The conference is in-person only. However, select sessions may be recorded and made available afterward for registered attendees.
Is there accommodation for those who need it?
Yes, Our Official Accommodation Partner is Delta St John's and you can use this link to book our preferred rate: Official Accommodation Partner: Delta St John's Booking Information:
I'm interested in Sponsoring the event, how can I do this?
Please get in touch with Fatima Malik, Event Producer atevents@nleats.cato discuss sponsorship opportunities for this conference.
I'm interested in Sponsoring the event, how can I do this?
Please get in touch with Fatima Malik, Event Producer atevents@nleats.cato discuss speaking opportunities for this conference series in 2025 and beyond.
I am interested in sending my employees, how can I do this?
Please get in touch with Fatima Malik, Event Producer atevents@nleats.cato discuss how your employees can benefit from attendance at FOOD Forward 2025
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