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):
- Current consumer eating patterns/awareness about dietary guidance.
- Huge food CPG budgets.
- Lack of investment in early stage companies.
(FT): Who is your food hero and why?
(ST): I have two:
- Dan Barber, for inspiring people to rethink their plate and sparking a conversation about the state of farming in this country.
- 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.
