Thursday Thoughts

Are you looking for ways to prepare for our 2025 Summit? Register now for our fall virtual programming series, Food Packaging & Sustainability Summit Sneak Peak: Thursday Thoughts where we will explore the latest trends and innovations in sustainability. Designed for industry professionals and academic experts, this series offers in-depth discussions, expert insights, and practical strategies from sustainability thought leaders.

Program:

Third Thursdays at 3 pm ET

Developing Next-Generation Sustainability Talent

3pm ET, August 15th

The number of jobs requiring “green skills” is significantly outpacing the talent supply. Join industry sustainability leaders, Elizabeth Rhue and Josh Mellinger, and Clemson University faculty member Haley Appleby for a discussion of gaps and opportunities for partnerships to develop the next generation of sustainability talent. The panel will be moderated by Meredith Clem, graduate student and member of Clemson FRESH’s Sustainability Leadership Program. 

Future of the Food System: Consumer Butterflies, Producer Wizards, and Everything in Between.

3pm ET, September 19th

Is the food system broken or just moving to its next version? Can our multitalented farmers keep up with changing consumer preferences? Are we moving into a new realm or to a place of familiarity? Across the food system and within every individual sector, some level of disruption is under way. The key to winning is recognizing the weak signals from one end (the consumer butterfly effect), capitalizing on technology like AI, robotics, and CRISPR, then turning that into a differentiated farmer/customer/consumer experience. Please join Rob Dongoski as he provides the Kearney perspective on what is changing and how to chart your path forward 

The Composting Consortium: Keeping Organics in a Circular Economy

3pm ET, October 17th

Join Caroline Barry for insights to the current state of composting infrastructure and food waste diversion in the United States. The Composting Consortium brings together leading voices across the composting and compostable packaging ecosystem––from the world’s leading brands to best-in-class composters running the operations on the ground. Through in-market tests, deep research and industry-wide collaboration, the Consortium is laying the groundwork for a more robust, resilient composting system that can keep organics and compostable packaging in circulation.

KC Chiefs and The 93K-Pound French Fry Bag Challenge

3pm ET, November 21st

If you’ve ever wondered where KC Chiefs VP of Operations Brandon Hamilton finds inspiration for Arrowhead Stadium’s Extra Yard for the Environment sustainability program, you might be surprised to know that he pays a lot of attention to the not-so-glamorous post-game garbage. 

One of Brandon’s explorations led to a collaboration between Aramark, Eagle Packaging, and No Trace Packaging to develop a compostable bag for frozen French fries.  French fries are one of the most popular snack foods at each game. Just imagine the packaging required to transport them from the processing plant to the kitchen, and the impact a sustainable solution could have in keeping plastic out of the environment. 

Join us for this fascinating story of an idea that gained Extra Yards for the Environment through collaborating with equally dedicated colleagues from each sector of the value chain.