2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit
June 23-25, 2025 | Seattle, WA
Hyatt Regency Seattle
Jenn Smith
Director, Food and Ag Innovation Programs
Center for Economic Advancement, Cornell University
Bio:
Jenn Smith leads food and ag innovation programs for Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement. Her portfolio includes the Grow-NY program, an annual $3M investment competition for innovative, early stage, high growth potential businesses working anywhere in the agrifood system; she also directs a Dairy Innovation Initiative focusing on bringing new dairy products from idea stage to store shelves, an ag tech hardware accelerator, and the Community Hub of the Northeast USDA Regional Food Business Center. In her role she draws on her background in entrepreneurship in the food and farming space and subject matter expertise in craft beverage market development, gained while the Executive Director of the New York Cider Association and the New York State Distillers Guild.
In addition to leading NYCA and NYSDG, Jenn has helped entrepreneurs throughout the Northeast launch innovative technologies, value-added products, agritourism ventures, and hospitality businesses.
Schedule
Wednesday, June 25
10:45am - 11:45am
[Breakout Session III] Carton Conscious: Reducing Waste across the Dairy & Egg Supply Chain
Milk and eggs are two of the most common grocery items on our shopping lists. And with all of that demand comes the potential for significant waste from farm to fork. So what’s the reality? What are the specific waste challenges, and what are some of the innovative solutions? Join us to hear from key players in the egg and dairy industry taking a deep dive into these questions and more.