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.
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).
Beyond the Crisis Response: Turning Initial Dialogue into Sustained Action
Wednesday, November 18 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. (CT)
In this workshop, you will learn about the intersection between social, organizational, and personal responsibility in creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable world.
This DEI Discussion workshops is 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.
When possible, we will make recordings of DEI Discussion workshop events available following the event. Due to privacy concerns, not all workshops will have recordings available.
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 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.
“It (diversity and inclusion) enhances and elevates everything to a whole different level, because we get to consider everything from so many different perspectives.”