Food Day at Climate Week NYC: Recap and Reflections
Food Day at Climate Week NYC was inspiring. For many of us, it was the first time seeing so many partners, leaders, and peers in person after mostly connecting over screens and emails. From food narratives and policy to youth advocacy, business, and branding, there was a strong sense of coalition as we came together.
Setting the Stage
In her opening remarks, Sarah Lake reminded us that food systems transformation is both inevitable and already unfolding. It will happen as supply chains are reshaped by tariffs, climate change, and distribution challenges. It has happened before, as history shows how quickly things can shift, from the rise of pesticides and fertilizers to the consolidation of production. And it is happening now, with new dietary guidelines, innovative companies, and successful campaigns in hospitals and schools pointing toward change already underway.
Shifts and Strategic Takeaways
Throughout the sessions, speakers highlighted how this transformation is taking shape and what it will take to move it further.
In healthcare, Soledad Hearon, Sustainability Manager for Healthcare and Seniors U.S. at Sodexo, described how their partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals has grown from a pilot into a program now reaching 400 hospitals nationwide. Leadership commitment, patient choice, and thoughtful procurement have been essential. As she noted, “Food is the one thing patients can control when they’re not feeling well. Choice is key.” Their work underscored how public procurement can be a powerful lever for scaling change.
On university campuses, Jared Ceja, Executive Director of Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, shared how collaboration across siloed departments has sparked new approaches, from brewing operations to fruit production, while also creating campus-wide buy-in through plant-forward dining. Their “Viva Las Vegan” dinner drew more than 1,000 students, showing how steady, pragmatic progress is possible when students, staff, and faculty come together around shared goals.
Culture and narratives also took center stage. Emilie Fitch, CEO of People for Better Food, highlighted how authentic storytelling matters more than facts alone. Campaigns that connect through trusted messengers, like fitness influencers, have helped reframe plant-rich eating around vitality, strength, and leadership rather than sacrifice. Others stressed the need for long-term cultural strategies and voices that resonate across diverse communities.
Finally, Sanah Baig, Executive Director of the Plant Based Foods Institute, reminded us that despite negative headlines, the data shows consistent growth. She shared how sixty percent of U.S. households now purchase plant-based products, nearly eighty percent buy them again, and even traditional proteins like tofu and seitan saw a seven percent sales increase last year. Her message was clear: building confidence in the sector and preparing systems for scale are just as important as celebrating progress.
Looking Ahead
As a team, we left Food Day energized about connecting this front-line work with our students across the country. Plant Futures is stepping into this space because students are already testing solutions on their campuses and in their communities, and they need the scaffolding of skills to carry their work further. Policy knowledge equips them to navigate local and national landscapes, operational expertise helps them turn pilots into lasting systems, and communication skills allow them to shape narratives that connect across communities and cultures.
We are already seeing this leadership in action. Andy Zhang, UConn Plant Futures chapter president and now Student Body President, is advocating for food systems transformation through both campus initiatives and the university’s climate action plan. His story reflects what our alumni and students are doing every day. And with more than 105 chapters ready to answer the call, this network is prepared to bring fresh energy and ideas to the work of food systems transformation.
Food Day reminded us that this change is not abstract or far off. It is happening right now in hospitals, universities, and neighborhoods. Our task is to connect these efforts, prepare the next generation of leaders, and ensure that the momentum we feel today fuels meaningful progress in the years ahead.
