Join Food Tank, the Global Food Institute at GW, the Culinary Institute of America, and José Andrés for the inaugural Food and Agriculture Policy Summit on October 28, 2025, at Jack Morton Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
 

This full-day, in-person event will feature dynamic conversations with thought leaders across the food system on policies that can support  a healthier population and planet.

Through inspiring keynotes, fireside chats, interactive dialogues, and lively panel discussions, the summit will dive into practical actionable policy ideas on issues including: 

• Driving change through procurement 
• Accelerating industry innovation
• Advancing better health through nutrition
• Strengthening climate resilience
• Addressing food loss and waste
• Reimagining global food aid–and much more. 

A special focus will be placed on amplifying community-driven solutions, bipartisan collaboration, and the role of innovation in shaping a healthier, more just food future.
This event is by invitation-only. If you would like to request to be considered for an invitation, please email Bernard at Bernard@FoodTank.com. If you have received an invitation, you can unlock your ticket and register using the provided promotion code.

Morning Program (10:00AM-2:00PM)

 Welcome Performance: Ana Villafañe

• Anna Villafañe, a Cuban-American actress and singer best known for originating Gloria Estefan in Broadway’s On Your Feet! and starring in NBC’s New Amsterdam. She also currently appears as Lola in Damn Yankees at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. Confirmed

Agenda Setting

• Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank Confirmed
• Robert E. Jones, Vice-President, Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Confirmed
• Stacy Dean, Carbonell Family Executive Director, Global Food Institute at GW Confirmed

In Conversation with José Andrés

• José Andrés, Founder, World Central Kitchen and GW’s Global Food Institute Confirmed
• Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank Confirmed

Feeding 10 Billion: Panel Discussion

• Zacharey Carmichael, Senior Economist, World Bank Confirmed
• Anna Nelson, Deputy Special Envoy for Global Food Security at the Department of State Confirmed
• Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President, Food Initiative, Rockefeller Foundation Confirmed
• Johan Swinnen, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Confirmed
• Moderated by Allison Aubrey, Correspondent, National Public Radio Confirmed

In Conversation with Michael W. Twitty

• Michael W. Twitty, James Beard–Award-winning culinary historian and educator, presents Recipes from the American South, a sweeping collection of over 260 dishes and deeply researched essays tracing the region’s culinary traditions and cultural heritage Confirmed
• Moderated by Tim Carman, Food Writer, The Washington Post Confirmed

Keynote from Podium: Charles J. Harder

• Charles J. Harder, U.S. Special Envoy, Best Future Generations, U.S. Department of State Confirmed

Congressional Fireside Chat

• U.S. Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) Confirmed
• Moderated by Marcia Brown, Food Journalist, Politico Confirmed

“Policy Meets the Plate: A Fireside Chat on Food, Health, and Culture.”

• U.S Representative Jim McGovern Confirmed
• Johanna Hellrigl Wilder, Chef & Founder, Ama Confirmed
• Moderated by Maria Godoy, Senior editor and health correspondent, NPR Science Confirmed

Keynote Remarks Ellen M. Granberg

• Ellen M. Granberg, President, George Washington University Confirmed

Congressional Fireside Chat

• U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) Confirmed
• Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank Confirmed

Lunch Break in Partnership with CAVA and Farmers Fridge

Afternoon Program (2PM- 6 PM)

Voices of Eaters – What Do We Need from our Food System?

Agenda Setting

• Sara Fletcher, VP Corporate Affairs, Oatly North America Confirmed

Interactive Plenary Focus Group

• Mchezaji “Che” Axum, Director, Urban Ag & Gardening Education, UDC Confirmed
• Shaun Sawko, Food and Nutrition Services at Fairfax County Public Schools Confirmed
• Kia Williams, "Chef Kay," Chef & Owner, Shaleafa's Kitchen Confirmed
• Shante Bullock, Senior Lead, DC Central Kitchen Confirmed
• Gladys Harvey, Recipient, Meals on Wheels Confirmed
• Charlie Basa, Senior, George Washington University Confirmed
• Amanda Stephenson, Business Owner, The Fresh Food Factory Confirmed
• Tope Fajingbesi, Co-Owner and Farmer, Dodo Farms Confirmed
• Raigon Wilson, FoodPrints Teacher, Garfield Elementary School Confirmed
• Moderated by Frank Sesno, Former CNN Correspondent Confirmed

2:00PM. Congressional Fireside Chat

• U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16) Confirmed
• Moderated by Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank Confirmed

A Farmer’s Perspective: Gerardo Martinez, Founder and Owner, Wild Kid Acres in Edgewater Confirmed

Innovation and Opportunity for Expanded Access to Protein Sources

In Collaboration with Meatable

• Bruce Friedrich, President, The Good Food Institute Confirmed
• Julie Anna Potts, President & CEO, Meat Institute Confirmed
• Moderated by Chloe Sorvino, Senior Reporter at Forbes covering food, agriculture, and sustainability, and author of Raw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Fight for the Future of Meat Confirmedd

“The Healthcare Sector's Role in Shaping Food Systems Health.” Driving Improved Health through Nutrition Policy Section

In Collaboration with the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation

• Dariush Mozaffarian, Director, Food is Medicine Institute, Tufts University Confirmed
• Robin McKinnon, Acting Director, Nutrition Center of Excellence, FDA Confirmed
• Jennifer Duck, Vice President, U.S. Public Affairs, Novo Nordisk Confirmed
• Christine Going, Senior Advisor, Food Security Program Office, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Confirmed
• Moderated by Leah Douglas, Agriculture & Energy Policy Reporter, Reuters Confirmed

K-16 School Meals as a Lever for Healthy Change

• Jackie Bertoldo, DrPH, MPH, RDN, Founder, Eat Better by Design Confirmed
• Abby Fammartino, MBA, MSFS, Director of Health and Sustainability Programs and Research, CIA Confirmed
• Katie Wilson, PhD, SNS, Executive Director, Urban School Food Alliance Confirmed
• Jason Tepper, Executive Chef, Alexandria City Public Schools, CIA Healthy Kids Collaborative Member (HKC) Confirmed
• Moderated by Lauren Lumpkin, Education Reporter, The Washington Post Confirmed

Cutting through the Noise: Policy that Will Help Promote a Healthy Diet.

• Marion Nestle, Professor Emerita of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, New York University Confirmed
• Jenet DeCosta, Sr Director Public Affairs, Driscoll’s Confirmed
• Casey Aden-Wansbury, Vice President, Head of Global Public Policy, Instacart Confirmed
• Hank Cardello, Executive-in-Residence at Georgetown University’s Business for Impact, former food & beverage industry executive and author of Stuffed: An Insider’s Look at Who’s (Really) Making America Fat Confirmed
• Moderated by Tami Luhby, Senior Writer, CNN Confirmed

A Farmer’s Perspective: Christa Barfield, Owner & Founder of FarmerJawn, a regenerative organic farm based in Philadelphia Confirmed

Reflections

• Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank Confirmed
• Robert E. Jones, Vice-President, Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Confirmed
• Stacy Dean, Executive Director, Global Food Institute at GW Confirmed

All-attendee reception in collaboration with Wholechain, Better Food Future, Maker’s Mark, Bonterra Organic Estates, and Athletic Brewing.