Food and Ideas Gathering

The Food and Ideas Gathering (FIG) seminar series aims to foster research collaboration, create community, and engage in conversation about transdisciplinary approaches to issues and solutions within the food system. This is a space where we can gather, learn, brainstorm, and exchange ideas.

About FIG

Speakers from UVM and beyond give talks on food systems topics. Each FIG features one or more presentations, with time for questions and discussion over food. This seminar series is presented by Food Systems Research Institute and the Food Systems Graduate Program. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep informed about the next FIG events.

 

Past FIG Events

Spring 2025: Alternative Proteins

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Wednesday April 16, 2025: Plant-based Lunch for the Planet Aisha Barrett from Offbeat Creemee, a plant-based ice cream company, and Alex Wild from Mighty Mudita, a plant-based deli slice company.

Wednesday March 19, 2025: Changing Palates: PhD Students Research Nutritious and Climate-Friendly Proteins Patrick Shafer and Alexis Yamashita

Wednesday February 19 2025: Cellular Agriculture: Engineering Alternative Proteins for a Sustainable Future Food System Rachael Floreani, David Kaplan, Chris Foley, Kevin Markey


 

Fall 2024: Food Procurement

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Friday October 1, 2024: Home and wild food procurement: Can participating improve food and nutrition security? Ashley McCarthy, postdoctoral associate

Spring 2024: Natural Sciences

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Wednesday April 17th: Introducing: The Climate Kitchen: A Maker's Space for Collaboration and Experimentation with Amy Trubek and the Soil Health Research and Extension Center with Joshua Faulkner and Deb Neher

An introduction of two new FSRC-funded initiatives at UVM.

Wednesday March 20th: Lightning Talks from Dairy Science Post-Docs

"Moo-difying the fat content of dairy foods to improve human health" Andrew Magnuson 

"Beyond the Rind: Delving into Vermont's Cheese Resistome" Felipe Machado de Sant'Anna

"Sustainable dairy pastures: dung, dirt, and biodiversity" Bryony Sands

Wednesday February 7th: Strategies for improving sustainability and capacity of Northeastern ruminant livestock systems

Matthew M. McIntosh, PhD , Research Animal Scientist, USDA Agricultural Research Service

Fall 2023: Climate Change and Food Systems

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Friday December 8th: Climate Change and Farming in Vermont

Panel: Matt Lasser from Reap and Sow Farm, Hilary Martin from Digger’s Mirth, Bruce Hennessey from Maple Wind Farm, Ransom Conant from Conant’s Riverside Farm

Moderator: Kate Longfield from the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition

Thursday, November 9th: Navigating contradictions: Climate adaptation planning at the farm and regional scale

Courtney Hammond-Wagner, Research Social Scientist, USDA-ARS and Rachel Schattman, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture, UMaine

Friday October 20th: Starting Over Again...and Again: Climate Change and Refugee Agriculture

Pablo Bose, Professor, Department of Geography and Geosciences and Director of the Global and Regional Studies Program