IFT Global Food Traceability Center Scientist to Address Sustainable Supply Chains at Climate Week NYC

NEW YORK CITY – September 11, 2026 – The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, is excited to share that Sara Morris, senior food safety and traceability scientist in IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC), will be speaking at Climate Week NYC.

Her presentation, Traceability and Nature-Positive Supply Chains, hosted by World Wildlife Fund and the Tapestry Foundation, is part of the broader session on “From Vision to Action: Traceability, Circularity, and Policy for Climate-Resistant, Nature-Positive Supply Chains.” The session will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT Tuesday, September 22, at 10 Hudson Yards in New York City.

Hosted by Climate Group, Climate Week NYC is the world’s largest climate event and a global platform for advancing climate and economic progress at scale. Every year, it brings together over 100,000 people across more than 1,000 events in New York City.

“Traceability is the foundation of climate-smart, nature-positive supply chains because it transforms data into action and accountability into impact. This is a strategic necessity that enables organizations to reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and demonstrate measurable progress toward climate and nature goals,” said Morris. “For years, IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center has led efforts to advance science-based, interoperable traceability systems that help organizations address complex challenges across global supply chains. The collaboration being showcased during Climate Week NYC highlights the momentum building across sectors to create supply chains that are both economically resilient and environmentally responsible.”

The sustainable supply chain session at Climate Week NYC will dive into the Global Traceability Framework for Beef and Leather, a collaborative initiative led by World Wildlife Fund, Better Food Future, and GFTC. The goal is to create a shared, interoperable data standard for traceability across beef and leather supply chains. The framework is built on a commodity-agnostic traceability model, the same foundational approach that underpins the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST). This includes a global data standard for beef and leather traceability, and digital tools and open-access resources to help digitize and securely exchange traceability data.

For its part, GFTC is using its technical expertise in food traceability systems to help align the beef and leather framework with broader food safety and sustainability standards. It is currently in the pilot and implementation phase with early adopters across the United States, Australia, and Brazil testing the framework in real-world supply chains.

To learn more about IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center, go to ift.org/gftc.

About IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center

IFT’s Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) is an internationally recognized leader in food traceability, dedicated to advancing end-to-end tracking and data sharing throughout the global food supply chain. GFTC develops open-source, scalable tools and resources that drive digital transformation and enable comprehensive traceability for all actors in the food system – from producers and first-mile actors to processors, distributors, retailers, and regulators. GFTC collaborates with a diverse network of global partners – including industry, governments, NGOs, multilateral organizations, and technology providers – to advance best practices and accelerate the adoption of interoperable, digital traceability solutions.

The Center has played a pivotal role in shaping food traceability policy and implementation, serving as a technical advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and leading pilots and industry engagement to inform regulatory approaches. As co-convener of the Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST), GFTC led the creation and ongoing evolution of the first global standard for interoperable seafood traceability – now a model being adapted for other commodities and sectors. Today, GFTC’s work spans seafood, beef, dairy, produce, and more.

About Institute of Food Technologists

Since 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) has served as the voice of the global food science community. IFT advocates for science, technology, and research to address the world’s greatest food challenges, guiding our community of more than 200,000. IFT convenes professionals from around the world – from producers and product developers to innovators and researchers across food, nutrition, and public health – with a shared mission to help create a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. IFT provides its growing community spanning academia, industry, and government with the resources, connections, and opportunities necessary to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving food system as IFT helps feed the minds that feed the world. For more information, please visit ift.org.