The 2nd Plant Based Foods Summit, organized by the Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), is set to take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023. This groundbreaking event is a collaborative effort of three ministries: The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
The summit will be held at the prestigious Hotel Le Meridien, located in Windsor Place, New Delhi. Adding to its significance, the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the U.S Soybean Export Council have pledged their support to this remarkable initiative.
Prominent dignitaries, including Shri Beeda Mastan Rao Yadhav, Member of Parliament; Smt Mercy Eapos, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA); Mr. Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council (USA); Ms. Jasmijn De Boo, CEO of Proveg International; Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General of the Indian Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Atul Mulay, President of Praj Industries, and several other esteemed thought leaders, will be gracing the event. Their presence adds valuable insights and expertise to the 2nd Plant-Based Foods Summit.
The Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) is a continuously expanding organization led by CEOs, formed by industry leaders to accelerate the progress of the plant-based sector in India. Its primary objective is to establish a future that is both healthy and sustainable for consumers, farmers, food industry personnel, investors, and civil society. PBFIA holds the distinction of being one of the founding members of The International Plant Based Foods Working Group (IPBFWG).
At present, PBFIA boasts a membership of over 120 plant-based food companies. The association actively engages in four essential workstreams: Policy Advocacy, Innovation, Investment, and Supply Chain. These workstreams serve as key areas of focus through which PBFIA collaborates and strives to drive advancements within the industry.
The summit will serve as a platform to showcase an extensive exhibition of Plant-Based Foods, featuring companies and start-ups from various sectors. Additionally, the event will host a conference that includes immersive sessions led by industry experts, policymakers, the HoReCa community, academia, and more. These sessions will offer valuable insights into the latest trends, innovations, and the future of the plant-based foods industry.
The exhibition is designed to provide exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase their products and establish connections with key industry players, including potential investors and partners. It will highlight the most innovative businesses, products, ingredients, and machinery from both India and around the world. The focus will be on promoting and celebrating the rapid growth of the plant-based foods industry.
Participants in the exhibition include notable companies such as Continental Greenbird, Nutricircle, Brenntag, Sanitech Engineers, Blue Tribe Foods, Vezlay, Pall Corporation, Shaka Harry, Evolved Foods, and many other influential players.
A notable highlight of the summit is the “Pitch Perfect” Investors Show, a premier platform that offers companies a unique opportunity to pitch their brands to potential investors on a global scale, with the aim of securing funding. This show specifically targets investors and strategic partners from the plant-based foods sector, creating a focused environment for business opportunities and partnerships to flourish.
The summit will also showcase “The Live Cooking Demo,” featuring renowned professional Chefs like Chef Dr. Gautan Chaudhry, Chef Sanjay Aarwal, Chef Anirudh Sethi, Chef Bharat Khemani, Chef Somnath Porel, Chef Tarun Kumar, Chef Dr. Prem Ram, and Chef Seitu Gupta. These talented Chefs will present innovative plant-based recipes, offering inspiration and fresh product ideas to the audience.
Furthermore, the event will include the PBFIA Awards Ceremony, which aims to honor exceptional contributions and accomplishments of individuals and companies in the industry. This ceremony presents an opportunity for participants to receive recognition for their dedication and celebrate their achievements.
Plant-Powered Paradigm: India’s Plant-Based Food Industry on the Rise
The plant-based foods industry in India is undergoing a remarkable surge and undergoing significant changes. With a growing emphasis on health-consciousness among consumers and increasing environmental concerns, there is a notable shift towards plant-based diets. This growth carries promising implications for the economy, environment, and public health. Notably, it holds the potential to generate new employment opportunities and boost revenue streams for small and medium-sized businesses. Moreover, plant-based diets have demonstrated their positive impact on the environment.
Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director, Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), said, “The plant-based foods industry has reached a pivotal moment, standing at a crossroad of tremendous oportuntiy and responsibility. We must navigate this path with interity, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to creatin a better food system for both planet and the people.”
The upcoming 2nd Plant-Based Foods Summit in India aims to serve as a vital platform for stakeholders to delve into the immense potential of the plant-based foods industry. This event will facilitate discussions on strategies to foster the growth and advancement of this sector, while also encouraging the establishment of new companies and nurturing entrepreneurs within the burgeoning plant-based foods domain.
With its transformative impact on the industry, the summit is poised to revolutionize the landscape and provide an exceptional forum for exhibitors and attendees to forge valuable connections and cultivate fresh business alliances.