Introduction to Plant-Centric Food Systems
This is an energizing and exciting symposium that explores the robust opportunities and accompanying challenges of plant-forward solutions. The gathering is convened to underscore the urgency of shifting to plant-based diets for healthier, more equitable, and resilient food systems and to explore how students will play a pivotal role in the transformation of the food system. Plant Futures is the first program at UC Berkeley to feature in depth multidisciplinary conversation aimed at exploring the role and importance of plant-based foods as a critical lever for change, and provides a unique opportunity for students to directly connect to prominent leaders, creators and influencers and forge pathways for future professional engagement.
Topics
- 1. Deepen students’ knowledge of the impacts of our diets and current food production systems on personal health and planetary boundaries that directly drive climate change by understanding the urgent challenges and most critical levers for transformation in food systems. 2. Build critical systems thinking competencies at the intersection of agriculture, nutrition, climate science, behavioral science, economics, entrepreneurship and ethics with plant-centric food systems. 3. Provide a multisectoral opportunity for students to build community and connect with leaders in different disciplines working in the plant-based sector through networking opportunities that converge the scientific, business, and academic communities. 4. Create an opportunity for students to engage and directly collaborate with food industry business leaders, experts, and researchers working on the forefront of innovation and sustainability, specifically in the plant-based sector. 5. Provide students with frameworks, examples and skill sets to design and implement innovative plant-centered food systems that are sustainable and driven by public health principles. 6. Equip students with the foundation and tools to become advocates and change makers for plant-centered food systems in their personal lives, on campus, and beyond. Ultimately, prepare students at a personal and professional level to accelerate the transition to a healthy, sustainable and just food system.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027