IFTNEXT Food Disruptors

We’ve all heard the phrase “Got milk?” But, answering this question has become increasingly more complicated with consumers’ needs becoming more diverse and awareness more global. Whether its consumers seeking more natural, “clean” foods, or increased demand for transparency across food chains, or smart technologies raising consumers’ expectations of product “experience,” the dairy industry is adapting and evolving to thoughtfully respond to consumer demands.

In this podcast, guests Veronique Lagrange, consultant for the American Dairy Products Institute and Matthew Pikosky, Vice President of Nutrition Science and Partnerships at Dairy Management Incorporated, take a closer look at the macro forces at work, their challenges and opportunities, and what science of food professionals working in this industry today need to consider as they innovate and work to ensure safe, nutritious, and sustainable dairy products for all.

With stagnant sales revenues, the 3G effect, and changing consumer preferences, the food industry has experienced massive shifts with constant change being the only norm. Retailers are increasingly pressuring “big brand” food companies to lower their pricing forcing margins to become exceedingly thin driving the need for growth in sales among categories where sales have been flat or declining in past years. This has created considerable acquisition activity of growth brands being acquired by larger brands of holding companies, hungry for products that will drive growth in sales. With all this flux, how are science of food professionals fairing and what do they need to do to keep themselves relevant in the job market?

In this podcast, we will explore the how changes in the industry are impacting the current and future job market, including compensation and benefits. We’ll also share some go-to tips to help you advance your career.

In this podcast episode, we will explore the benefits, challenges and opportunities traceability provides and how disruptive technologies like blockchain can help to revolutionize our ability to respond to critical food safety and security concerns.

There’s more to starting a food company than a new idea or a family recipe. Creating a food-related product that is scalable, in a market segment that isn’t already saturated can be difficult – no matter your connection to the industry. Even if you get that far, selling into stores and gaining market traction is … Continue reading Episode 2: So You Want to Start a Food Start-Up? →

Food security, climate change, and energy deployment are among the many issues we face today. These challenges demand innovative solutions and a multidisciplinary approach to collaborative problem-solving. Issues in food like preservation, nutrition, and disease prevention are becoming even more prevalent. To meet these challenges head-on, we must replace conventional strategies with provocative ideas and disruptive … Continue reading Episode 1: What Is Food Disruption And Why Is It Important? →