Designing Resilient and Equitable Food Supply Chains for the Future
- 📅 Date: April 17, 2026
- 🕗 Time: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Eastern Time)
- 📍 Location: M036, The Minskoff Pavilion, Broad College of Business, Michigan State University
About the Event
Join us for the inaugural FAST Symposium at Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business. This high-impact event brings together industry leaders, academic experts, and researchers to explore innovative strategies for building resilient and equitable food supply chains.
Expect a full day of dynamic sessions, collaborative discussions, poster sessions, and networking opportunities focused on real-world challenges and emerging trends shaping the future of food supply chain management.
Why Attend?
- Gain insights from Broad College faculty and industry experts
- Explore cutting-edge research and practical solutions
- Network with leaders and peers in food supply chain management
- Be part of shaping equitable and sustainable systems and inform future research efforts
Event Highlights
- Keynote presentations from top industry voices
- Research presentations from academic experts
- Interactive panels on resilience, equity, and innovation
- Brainstorming sessions to discuss pressing issues and inform future research
- Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships
Keynote Speaker - Dr. Tim Boring
Director
Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD)
Dr. Tim Boring serves as the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) supporting the department’s continued commitment to investing in the state’s rural communities, providing opportunities for food and agriculture businesses, protecting consumers from the pump to the plate, and preserving Michigan’s environmental resources. Director Boring approaches those commitments with a focus on economic prosperity, regenerative agriculture and diversifying agricultural production across the state.
His family operates a six-generation farm in Stockbridge, Michigan, which is why ensuring the next generation of farmers have the support they need is personal for him.
Director Boring’s previous roles include State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency, President and Founder of Michigan Agriculture Advancement, and Research Director of the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee. He has a Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University.
2026 Annual FAST Symposium Agenda
- Time | Topic
- 8:00 AM | Check-In & Breakfast
- 9:00 AM | Welcome by FAST Lab Co-Directors
- 9:15 AM | Opening by Broad Dean
- 9:30 AM | Keynote
- 10:00 AM | Networking Break
- 10:15 AM | Panel 1: Hospitality Service & Operations
- 11:00 AM | Research Presentation 1: Third-Party Grocery Delivery and Implications on Inventory Management
- 11:30 AM | Panel 2: Food Logistics & Distribution
- 12:15 PM | Lunch + Poster Sessions
- 1:15 PM | Panel 3: Circularity and Food Waste Reduction Innovations
- 2:00 PM | Research Presentation 2: Volunteer Management in Food Rescue Operations
- 2:30 PM | Panel 4: Emerging Challenges in Corporate Food Sustainability and Supply Chains
- 3:15 PM | Networking Break
- 3:30 PM | Small-Group Brainstorm
- 4:30 PM | Group-Level Presentation
- 5:45 PM | Next Steps & Conclusion by FAST Lab Co-Directors
- 6:00 PM | Light Dinner & Networking
Reserve Your Spot Today!
FAST 2026 Program Chairs
Stanley Lim
- Associate Professor
Supply Chain Management
Karthik Namasivayam
- Director
The School of Hospitality Business - John and Becky Duffey Professor of Hospitality Business
The School of Hospitality Business
Speakers
Aubree Carlisle
- Food Waste Specialist
Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Adrian Choo
- Associate Professor
Supply Chain Management
Steve Finn
- Vice President of Sustainability & Public Affairs
Leanpath
Anna Hammond
- Founder and CEO
Matriark Foods
Julie Higgins
- Director of Hotel Operations/ Sustainability Officer
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
David Ly
- Director
Business Initiatives, ReFED
Ian Olson
- Executive In Residence
Supply Chain Resiliency - Co-Director
Landscape Intelligence Network
Bengü Nur Özdemir
- Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Erik Petrovskis
- Director of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability
Meijer
Joe Robbins
- Chief Product Officer
Food Rescue US
John Spink
- Fixed-Term Faculty
Supply Chain Management
Daniel Schoonmaker
- Executive Director
Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
Lilah Taha-Rippett
- Senior Vice President of Supply Chain
First Watch Restaurants
Randy Tarantino
- Global Director of Technology Strategy and Innovation Partnerships
Sysco
Sri Thirumalai
- Director of Last Mile Delivery
Walmart
Judith Whipple
- Donald J. Bowersox and Robert W. Thull Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management
Chao Wu
- Assistant Professor
Wayne State University
Conference Team
Victoria Romanyshyn
- Social Media Coordinator
Seyeon Park
- Poster Session Coordinator
- Ph.D. Student
Jiachen Wei
- Postdoctoral Scholar
Andrew Cole
- Professorial Assistant
Kamaria Green
- Professorial Assistant
AFFILIATE INDUSTRY AND NGO PARTNERS
Hotel Information
Kellogg Center Hotel and Conference
Call: 517-432-4000 or 800-875-5090
The Graduate Hotel East Lansing
Marriott East Lansing at University Place
Residence Inn by Marriott East Lansing
