Live From IFT FIRST

Explore editorial coverage from IFT FIRST, including keynote and session highlights, expert interviews, Expo Hall photo stories, and more.

Bryant Williams, founder and CEO of Nurtured Nuts

Jul 17, 2026

The Pitch! Perfect: Allergen-Free Nut Company Wins Startup Competition

Nurtured Nuts won the top prize at IFT FIRST’s The Pitch! competition for its CRISPR-developed allergen-free peanuts, highlighting a diverse group of food tech startups advancing innovations in sustainability, food safety, shelf life, and ingredient development.

Food Technology Magazine

Food futurist and innovation strategist Mike Lee shared in “The Future of Food, Unpacked,” an IFT FIRST Hot Topics Studio session.

Jul 17, 2026

Separating Signals From Noise to Understand Food’s Future

Food futurist Mike Lee explains how food industry leaders can identify enduring consumer shifts, leverage AI for innovation, and make sustainable products more appealing by positioning them as delicious.

Food Technology Magazine