Five Questions with Shen Tong of Food-X

Food Tank recently had the opportunity to speak with Shen Tong, founder of Food-X, who was one of the speakers at the 2015 Food Tank Summit in partnership with The George Washington University

Food Tank (FT): What will your message be at the Food Tank Summit?

Shen Tong (ST): To truly ‘democratize innovation’ in food, we have to empower the people who are really hungry to drive change: food startups. Few have access to funding, and the resources needed to break through our thick-walled food industry ruled by longstanding corporate behemoths.

(FT): How are you contributing to building a better food system?

(ST): FOOD-X is giving very early stage companies (who would otherwise be overlooked) funding, expert coaching, and investor access as a means to drive innovation in our food system.

(FT): What are the biggest obstacles or challenges you face in achieving your organization’s goals?

(ST):

1. Current consumer eating patterns/awareness about dietary guidance.
2. Huge food CPG budgets.
3. Lack of investment in early stage companies.

(FT): Who is your food hero and why?

(ST): I have two:

1. Dan Barber, for inspiring people to rethink their plate and sparking a conversation about the state of farming in this country.
2. Joel Berg, for driving forward to eliminate in hunger America, and emphasizing the importance of policy to catalyze true change in food.

(FT): In 140 characters or less what is the most important thing we can all do to help change the food system?

(ST): We need to empower the little guys in food to make big changes in the way we eat.