Throughout the week, we brought you the stories, conversations, and breakthroughs emerging from IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo. Today, we’re turning the spotlight to the people who made this year’s event so memorable.
We spoke with attendees, exhibitors, startup founders, speakers, researchers, and other members of the food science community about what keeps them coming back, what they discovered this year, and why IFT FIRST continues to be such a valuable experience.
Together, their reflections offer a glimpse into the ideas, relationships, and sense of community that define IFT FIRST—and why so many consider it an essential part of their professional year.
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“I’ve met a lot of really awesome people, especially a lot of women in the industry. As a woman and as an early-career professional, it’s really nice to meet other people who are kind of in the same spot as I am.”
— Morgan Fleck, QA scientist (microbiologist), Bell's Brewery
What do you think of the new IFT FIRST format?
“I really liked having everything together this year. I could move from one scientific session to another while experiencing the innovations in the Expo Hall. Being on the Main Stage surrounded by everything made the experience even more energizing.”
— Ana María Quirós, faculty member at the University of Costa Rica; PhD student at the University of Manitoba
What keeps you coming back to IFT FIRST?
“This is my hugging three days of the year. Everywhere I go, I see familiar faces that energize me about this profession. Meeting people cannot be replaced, and this is the best place to do it.”
— Yifat Rogers, founder and CEO, Yaniv Consulting LLC
What makes IFT FIRST special to you?
“I’ve been coming every single year because this is where I meet my food science family. The learning is incredible, but the best part is seeing everyone again after all these years. They really are like family.”
— Viral Shukla, research associate, Cornell University; Immediate Past President, IFTSA
What gives you hope for the future of science communication?
“If we want things to be different, we have to be different. We have to engage, and we have to behave differently in a way that reaches the hearts and minds of the people we serve.”
— Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO, International Food Information Council
Why did you bring your startup to The Pitch! at IFT FIRST?
“I’ve always loved IFT for discovering new ingredients and new ideas. When I became a founder, I knew I wanted to come back—not only to reconnect with people, but also to present our innovation to a larger audience. Whenever you talk to anybody about IFT, it’s the connections. That’s what keeps people coming back.”
— Bryant Williams, founder and CEO, Nurtured Nuts (winner of The Pitch! competition)
Although the event has concluded, you can still experience many of the ideas and conversations that shaped this year’s IFT FIRST.
With IFT FIRST Virtual Access, you’ll receive on-demand access to more than 10 recorded scientific sessions, including Keynote presentations, Hot Topics Studio discussions, Solutions Showcase sessions, and other featured programming.
Want even more coverage? The conversations don't stop when the event ends—and neither do the ideas.
Visit the IFT FIRST News hub to explore exclusive articles, podcasts, recap videos, photo galleries, interviews, and continuing coverage from the Food Technology editorial team—all in one convenient destination, with even more stories still to come.
Regular Food News Now coverage returns Monday, July 20, while we’ll continue exploring the biggest ideas and innovations from IFT FIRST through special reports, newsletters, and the IFT FIRST News hub.
