The Hottest Trends in Functional Foods, Upbeat About Upcycling, Welcome Gen Z

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Omnivore

Episode Description

Dr. Liz Sloan, who has kept a close eye on functional food and beverage trends for decades, shares her take on what’s ahead for this market in the year ahead. Dr. Lara Ramdin, widely known as the Upcycling Queen, talks to Omnivore about how upcycling not only reduces food waste but also offers a chance to enhance nutrition accessibility, support circular economies, and provide sustainable solutions to food insecurity. Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor at Intelligent.com, discusses what Generation Z brings to the workforce and how mentorship can help build strong bridges between the generations.

This episode of Omnivore is brought to you by IFT FIRST--Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology. Join food system professionals at McCormick Place in Chicago, July 13-16, 2025, for the industry's premier event connecting innovation, science, and business. Learn more at iftevent.org.

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Featured Guests

A. Elizabeth Sloan PhD

A. Elizabeth Sloan, PhD, is CEO and president of Sloan Trends, Inc., Escondido, Calif., and is a regular contributing editor on market trends in Food Technology.
Lara Ramdin, PhD

Lara Ramdin, PhD, is the chief scientist and LA ambassador of FoodxClimate, where she champions initiatives to revolutionize food systems by integrating circular approaches and advocates for food sovereignty.
Huy Nguyen

Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor at Intelligent.com, is an entrepreneur and educational innovator with an extensive background in executive management serving in lead roles with technology startups and Fortune 100 companies. His non-profit platform, Solve Community Challenges (SolveCC), has pioneered a transformative approach to higher education, enabling colleges and universities to deeply engage students with their communities through collaborative experiential learning.

Omnivore

IFT’s Omnivore and Omnivore Presents: SciDish podcasts spark lively, thought-provoking conversations with the science, business, and regulatory leaders shaping the future of food. Each episode delivers sharp analysis, practical insights, and bold ideas designed to challenge assumptions, ignite innovation, and energize your work across the global food system.

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