Date: Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
Place: Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA
Symposium: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Expo: 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

JOIN YOUR FRIENDS in Northern California for these educational, business, and networking events to support the NCIFT mission of building our local ‘science-of-food’ community.

These events are a great way to:

Learn more about the current state of food science
Gain valuable business insight
Expand and strengthen your professional network

The Golf outing offers a fantastic outdoor opportunity to spend 6 uninterrupted hours connecting with your best clients and customers.

The Symposium helps keep us informed and educated on the latest industry developments.

The Suppliers’ Expo is Northern California premier venue to discover new ingredient and service providers— or simply reconnect with your existing suppliers and providers.

Innovation at the Crossroads: Regulatory Realities and Emerging Consumer Forces Shaping the Future of Food

Symposium Summary:

This symposium explores the powerful forces reshaping the food and beverage industry—from evolving global regulations to rapidly shifting consumer expectations.

Dr. Brendan Niemira, Chief Science and Technology Officer of IFT, will outline how IFT is advancing sound food science to:

Inform policy
Address ultra-processed food definitions
Navigate new dietary guidelines.

Amanda Sinrod, Senior Food Scientist and Dr. Tatiana Praet, Senior Group Manager, Product Development both at Mattson Co, will examine emerging market trends, including:

Protein’s cultural rise
Evolving views on indulgence
Women’s health innovation
Flavor-driven development

Together, these presentations provide a comprehensive look at how regulation and consumer demand are redefining the future of food.

Contact the host of NCIFT Suppliers’ Night 2026