Integral to Our Values

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 has added Inclusion as one of its values. 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.

Through our Inclusion value we promise to listen, learn, and invite input from people of all backgrounds. We will create processes to reach shared agreements and pursue equity in our community. Our decisions and actions are informed by intentionally challenging assumptions, beliefs, and practices that maintain inequity in society and science.

Learn more about IFT's Values

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity: The Three Pillars

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.
 

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.