As a science of food global community, IFT is uniquely positioned to embrace its diverse community and provide meaningful forums to encourage and foster inclusive opportunities for members to share, learn, and thrive. To emphasize this commitment, IFT's strategic promises include a promise to Include. As part of this promise, IFT 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. Learn more about IFT's Strategic Promises.
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.
This year, IFT proudly joins dozens of other organizations stepping up to take the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. IFT members and staff who register for the challenge will participate in weekly activities and an online discussion forum in the IFT Connect online community.
This virtual event is a self-guided journey examining the history and impact of racism, how it is connected to our food systems, and steps we can take to build equity in our world. The challenge was created in 2016 by Food Solution New England. Content is curated each year by a planning team that represents different organizations working in the food system.
21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge
April 5–25, 2021 | Virtual event in IFT Connect | Free to IFT members
Learn more and register for the challenge
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.
IFT’s DEI Discussions workshops are free to any IFT member and $20 for non-members. To protect the privacy and open nature of the conversations, recordings may not be available.
Navigating Careers as Women in the Science of Food
Thursday, March 11 | 10–11 a.m. (CT)
As our profession grows and evolves, so does our responsibility to ensure that we foster a culture in which women in the science of food increase their impact as they advance in their career. Join us for this 60-minute webcast in which we discuss the challenges women in the science of food face in their careers and how we all can nurture, empower, inspire, and mentor women in our profession.
Learn more and register for our March DEI Discussions event
IFT Diversity & Inclusion Town Hall
IFT 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.
“Diversity and inclusion enhances and elevates everything to a whole different level, because we get to consider everything from so many different perspectives.”
