The Food Production Committee is the strategic body shaping Expo 2031’s global narrative around how the world grows, processes, prepares, and consumes food in a climate-smart future.

 

As a core component of the Global Horticulture Council, this committee brings together growers, food manufacturers, chefs, CPG innovators, controlled-environment leaders, supply-chain experts, regenerative agriculture advocates, nutrition scientists, and global development partners.

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This committee defines the full food journey at Expo 2031—from seed to field, from production to processing, from culinary innovation to global nutrition—and ensures Minnesota’s leadership in sustainable, innovative food systems is showcased on a world stage.

 

Committee Expertise

The Food Production Committee combines leadership across the food system, from upstream production to downstream consumption:

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Sustainable Food Production & Crop Transformation

• Row and specialty crop processing

• Post-harvest handling, storage, and quality management

• Sustainable inputs, alternative fertilizers, and biologicals

• Climate-resilient food production strategies

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Controlled-Environment & Indoor Food Production

• Vertical farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics

• Greenhouse food production and smart lighting strategies

• Precision nutrient delivery and water-use efficiency

• CEA systems integrated with the Technology Spine

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Food Manufacturing, CPG Innovation & Ingredient Science

• Food safety, traceability, and global standards

• New ingredient systems (plant proteins, novel crops, fermentation-derived foods)

• Minnesota’s CPG ecosystem and global food brands

• Packaging innovation and circular materials

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Culinary Innovation, Gastronomy & Food Experience Design

• Future foods, flavor science, and sensory innovation

• Farm-to-table and hyper-local culinary programming

• Chef collaborations and food-and-culture storytelling

• Culinary production for the Multimedia Studio and live broadcast

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Nutrition, Health & Food-as-Medicine

• Nutritional science and dietary innovation

• Functional foods and health-forward product development

• Food security, equitable access, and community nutrition

• Integration with the Health & Wellbeing Pavilion

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Supply Chain, Cold Chain & Global Food Logistics

• Distribution, warehousing, and transportation systems

• Cold chain innovation for perishable crops

• Food traceability, blockchain, and transparency technologies

• Circular food systems and food recovery strategies

Food Policy, Standards & Global Development

• USDA, FDA, and global regulatory frameworks

• International food security partnerships

• Climate-smart incentives and sustainable food policies

• Workforce development in food manufacturing and innovation

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Programming Focus

The Food Production Committee curates the full end-to-end food experience at Expo 2031:

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Food Production Exhibitions Across the Expo Site

• Plant ↔ ingredient ↔ product storytelling

• Live processing demonstrations (grains, produce, specialty foods)

• Future-of-food exhibits: proteins, fermentation, food tech

• Food production integrated into climate zone storylines

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Agriculture–Food–Water–Energy Pavilion Programming

A centerpiece pavilion featuring:

• Food systems of the future and global nutrition challenges

• How water, energy, and agriculture intersect to feed the world

• CEA and vertical farming demonstrations

• Food security strategies for a changing climate

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Daily Culinary Demonstrations & Food Experiences

• Chef-driven demonstrations on the Culinary Production Stage

• Cultural culinary showcases from international participants

• Modern Minnesota food innovation programming

• Future-food tastings (alt proteins, functional foods, climate-resilient crops)

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“Food Tech & Innovation Alley” Demonstrations

• Robotics in food handling and packaging

• AI-driven food safety and quality analytics

• Real-time ingredient traceability and blockchain displays

• Smart kitchen and consumer-facing tech innovations

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Farm-to-Expo Supply Chain Storytelling

• Real supply chains bringing food to the Expo

• Cold chain systems visualized through digital twins

• Food waste reduction and closed-loop systems

• Logistics, resilience, and climate impacts made visible to visitors

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Global Food Culture, Nutrition & Community Wellbeing

• Food diplomacy programs and global culinary collaborations

• Food-as-medicine education tied to the Health & Wellbeing Pavilion

• Youth nutrition, school garden integration, and STEM food programs

• Community food access and resilience innovations

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Integration with the Future Living District

• Permanent CEA labs and food production piloting spaces

• Smart-food manufacturing testbeds

• Urban agriculture integrated into residential and mixed-use zones

• Long-term food innovation and nutrition research programs

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Role in Expo 2031 Governance

The Food Production Committee ensures that Expo 2031 becomes one of the world’s most comprehensive showcases of food innovation. Members shape:

• The global food narrative for Expo 2031

• Programming inside the Agriculture–Food–Water–Energy Pavilion

• Culinary and CPG innovation experiences

• Integration of food production systems across the Expo site

• The future food ecosystem embedded in the Future Living District

 

Their work positions Minnesota—and the United States—at the forefront of sustainable food systems, global nutrition leadership, and food innovation that improves human wellbeing.