Students to host world’s largest future-food festival on Harvard University’s campus, as global meat consumption grows

Students plan second annual “Food 4 Thought” event, supported by ProVeg International

Students from across the world will converge on Harvard University’s historic campus in the U.S. this April to brainstorm a world that consumes more plant-rich food and less industrially-produced meat. 

Taking place over three days, from 11-13 April, 2025, thought leaders, researchers and alternative protein companies will join forces in Cambridge, Massachusetts to showcase developments in plant-based food, alternative proteins such as cultivated meat, and innovations improving the overall food system. Workshops, a career fair, and a food festival featuring cultural dishes from across the world will also feature at the event, supported by ProVeg International.

“We hope the festival will give students the tools and knowledge to help shape a plant-centric future where food is more sustainable, equitable, healthy, and cruelty-free,” Harvard student and Food 4 Thought Chief Executive Officer, Navin Durbhakula, said.

“Global meat consumption continues to rise and with that the immense environmental destruction it causes. It is vital to support young people to turn this around so that the solutions to climate change, which are already well known, can be implemented,” Durbhakula.

Animal agriculture accounts for up to 20% of global greenhouse emissions. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  (IPCC) has pinpointed a transition to plant-rich diets as a way to bring down emissions. On top of this, plant-based meat has been recognized as one of three “super-leverage points” that not only cut emissions in one key sector, but also support faster changes in other parts of the economy. 

Governments are actively embracing measures to shift to more sustainable food production. 

Denmark launched the first Action Plan on Plant-Based Foods last year, and the EU has been urged to develop a similar plan across the bloc from 2026. Denmark also confirmed last month it was pushing ahead with a plan to tax CO2 emissions from livestock.

Global events are also increasingly providing plant-based catering with the Paris Olympics this year serving mainly plant-based food for the spectators. Brazil, host of this year’s UN climate summit, COP30, has pledged to ensure sustainable, healthy food is served to delegates. 

The general trend in Europe is promising, with most people now actively reducing their meat consumption, according to the EU-funded Smart Protein Project. Most Chinese consumers are open to eating more plant-based foods once they learn of the benefits, a study by ProVeg has found.

However, the recent announcement of the expansion of meat processing facilities by meat giant JBS into Nigeria shows there is still much to fight for. 

The 2025 Food 4 Thought Festival will bring together students and leaders from across the world to tackle these pressing issues and push for further advancements in creating a sustainable food system.

Those interested in attending the festival can register by January 31st at this link for discounted early-bird tickets.

ENDS

Footnotes

  1.  Global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods | Nature Food

Notes for Editors

For media inquiries and interviews about Food 4 Thought, email Kacey Fifield at [email protected].

For inquiries about ProVeg International, email Peter Rixon at [email protected].

About Food 4 Thought Innovations

Food 4 Thought Innovations is an international nonprofit dedicated to reimagining the future of the food system through innovative, collaborative, and student-driven approaches. By uniting students, academic experts, and professionals, the organization seeks to create sustainable and scalable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing food systems challenges.

About ProVeg International

ProVeg International is a food awareness organization with the mission to replace 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040. Our vision is a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet. 

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