IFT strives to create a world where Diversity & Inclusion are universally valued as essential to advancing the science of food and providing a safe, nutritious, and sustainable food supply for everyone. Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion are key to IFT’s Mission by attracting and serving a diverse population of members, food science professionals, and staff by embracing a culture of inclusion.
DEI Discussions
As part of our ongoing commitment furthering our organization promise of Include, IFT will host DEI Discussions, a series of live virtual workshops that will address fostering a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
IFT’s DEI Discussions workshops are free to any IFT member or $20 for non-members, and they are available only as live events. Registration may be limited due to platform attendance capacity.
Building Work Relationships in a Virtual Work Environment
Thursday, August 27 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. (CT)
Attendees will explore how to build and maintain the relationships that we need for optimal interactions, individual opportunities, and healthy teams in a virtual workplace.
Association Forum Welcoming Environment Award Recipient
The Institute of Food Technologists is proud to announce that it recently received the Welcoming Environment Organizational Award from Association Forum. The Welcoming Environment Organizational Award is given to an association that has demonstrated exemplary outcomes in providing an inclusive and welcoming environment and culture.
IFT Diversity & Inclusion Town Hall
IFT recently held a virtual town hall event for all IFT members during which member and Past President, John Coupland, PhD, CFS, presented the set of recommendations developed by the Inclusive Systems Review Task Force in support of IFT’s Strategic Promise of Include. You can read an overview of the recommendations on our Brain Food blog, or watch a recording of the event.
Along with developing, networking, innovating, and advocating, IFT had added the promise to include as part of its strategic objectives. As part of this promise, IFT’s has dedicated itself to three important pillars: diversity, inclusion, and equity. With the goal to leverage all three to advance its mission and the science of food.
What do we mean when we use the words diversity, inclusion, and equity?
Diversity
Refers to the composition of a group of people from any number of demographic backgrounds, identities, and the collective strength of their various attributes
Inclusion
The act of establishing systems—which include policies, practices, and procedures—to ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources. Inclusion creates the infrastructure to leverage the collective strength we all bring.
Equity
The guaranteed fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all. Acknowledging the historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness to remedy these unbalances is needed.
Diversity & Inclusion Virtual Town Hall
Tuesday, October 15 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. (CT) | FREE
Please join us for an IFT Diversity + Inclusion virtual town hall event on Tuesday, October 15. The event will enable members to learn about the Inclusive Systems Review Task Force, which the IFT Board of Directors appointed to assess IFT’s current volunteer structures, systems, and approaches in order to promote and sustain IFT’s commitment to be a diverse and inclusive organization. A critical outcome of the group’s work is the development of a set of recommendations to be shared at the IFT Board of Directors meeting in November, and this event is intended to ensure the voice of our membership continues to drive the recommendations. Members will also have an opportunity to share their questions or feedback with the chair of the task force, John Coupland, PhD, CFS.
“It (diversity and inclusion) enhances and elevates everything to a whole different level, because we get to consider everything from so many different perspectives.”