2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
June 11-13, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Convention Center
Christina Gilyutin
Co-Creator
Strange Exchange
Bio:
Christina is passionate about creating experiences, events, and networks that foster true belonging and allow everyone to thrive both professionally and personally. She recently founded Strange Exchange, a project dedicated to building community among neighbors, supporting local nonprofits, and extending the life of useful items. She is on the board of Positive Planet, US and spent over a decade at REDF, a venture philanthropy organization that invests in employment-focused social enterprises. During that time, she created the REDF Accelerator and launched the REDF Community, a membership network of founders, entrepreneurs, and executive directors who focus on employment as a pathway to success for individuals, their families, and their communities. Christina has an MBA/MS from the University of Michigan and a BA from Stanford University.
Schedule
Wednesday, June 12
9:00am - 10:30am
Mainstage 1 | The Road to Scale: Accelerating Action for Lasting Impact
Mainstage Session
Food waste is a solvable problem, and dozens of high-impact solutions already exist. So what will it take for the food system to finally start adopting them at scale? Our opening session will dig into the answer from a few different angles. We’ll hear an opening keynote from ReFED’s Dana Gunders and be welcomed to the Summit by a White House representative. Then we’ll hear from a series of innovators about how they were able to get their solutions to “break through” with end users. And we’ll close with a keynote by a special guest. As Dana famously said in her opening remarks at last year’s Summit, the time for pilots is over – we know what works, so let’s start doing it.
Wednesday, June 12
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Mainstage 2 | We Mean Business: Leaning in Across the Food Sector
Mainstage Session
As waste generators, food businesses play a critical role in the fight against food waste. Yet while enthusiasm for waste reduction initiatives is high, it can be hard to translate those commitments into concrete action that yields results. Building on our opening session’s theme of accelerating action, this second mainstage session examines opportunities for food businesses to step up and do their part. We’ll hear from a panel of sustainability leaders from the some of the largest food retailers as they discuss what they’re doing to drive progress in their own operations – and throughout the broader food system. Plus we’ll get updates on some promising opportunities for business collaboration.
Thursday, June 13
9:00am - 10:00am
Mainstage 3 | Behind the Baltimore Charm: A Deep-Dive into the City’s Food Waste Landscape
Mainstage Session
We love you, Baltimore! When it comes to reducing food waste, Baltimore is innovative, enthusiastic — and successful. From neighborhood composting to citywide waste policies, we’re excited to share some of what makes Charm City a model for food waste action across the nation. Featuring local leaders who will share how city policy is driving action on the state level, you’ll walk away knowing why Baltimore was our first pick for hosting this year’s Summit.
Thursday, June 13
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Mainstage 4 & Closing Session | All Together Now: Scaling Action Through High-Value Partnerships & Collaborations
Mainstage Session
Food waste is a systemwide problem, which means no single individual, business, or policy can solve it alone. We can make more progress when we work together — across sectors and industries, and even by collaborating with competitors. Our closing session is all about the power of partners. Sustainability goals shouldn’t be a competitive issue, and you’ll walk away from this session inspired at what can be accomplished when they’re not.