2024 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
June 11-13, 2024 | Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Convention Center
Phil Acosta
Executive Director | Rockefeller-Acumen Food System Fellow
Hawaiian Mission Houses
Bio:
Phil's family immigrated from the Philippines to Hawaii when he was 10 years old where they lived on a small farm, growing anything and everything they could for sustenance and subsistence. His personal experience with hunger, discrimination, and poverty is a driving force for his passion to help those in need, as an Educator, nonprofit Executive, and community leader. Phil was the former Executive Director for Aloha Harvest, Hawaii’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to food rescue and sustainability, with a vision where food waste and hunger no longer exist. He is also a member of the Rockefeller Foundation-Acumen Academy Food Systems Fellowship, a globally diverse cohort of over 40 food systems builders who are creating more equitable, nourishing and regenerative food systems. He is currently the Executive Director for Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives leading the team’s efforts in business and strategic planning, promoting the importance of Hawaii’s history and how it informs present day society and culture. He and his wife have been married for over 25 years and they are the proud parents of twin girls. One is a recent graduate of UCLA and the other is finishing up her first year of graduate studies at the University of the Pacific. In his spare time, he loves to golf, surf, play music, train for triathlons, cook, and eat!
Schedule
Thursday, June 13
10:30am - 11:30am
A Fusion of Flavors: The Cultural Footprint of What We Eat and Don’t Eat
Breakout Session 3
Ever wondered how cultural traditions influence our perception of what we deem “edible” and our utilization of food resources? "We are what we eat" is an age-old saying that highlights the profound impact our culinary decisions have on our lives — what, why, how, where, and when we eat all varies across cultures, serving as expressions of identity, social bonds, beliefs, heritage, and more. Come on a journey as we explore how diverse cuisines worldwide ingeniously optimize food scraps, leftovers, and less desirable ingredients. You’ll discover the wisdom behind naturally low-waste diets and eating habits and glean insights for minimizing food waste. Let's explore the rich tapestry of culinary heritage for valuable lessons that can help us build a more sustainable future where no food goes to waste.