Concious Thought Leadership Platform - Food for Thought

How can we design a thought leadership platform that reshapes and disrupts conversations about sustainable food systems?

About the Project

Food for Thought is a traveling sustainable dinner series hosting various stakeholders in sustainable food systems from farmers and researchers to producers and chefs gathered around insightful conversations and locally-produced meal to trigger collaborations and generate solutions around food safety and sustainable food systems.

The Process

We designed a new thought-leadership platform for PepsiCo grounded in three core pillars: Authenticity, Inclusivity, and Mindfulness. Inspired by PepsiCo’s pep+ sustainability vision, the platform brought together diverse voices, from farmers to scientists, entrepreneurs to researchers, creating a memorable and immersive journey across the MENA region. Every detail of the experience was thoughtfully crafted with sustainability at its heart, from locally sourced food and carbon-accounted elements to artisanal collaborations with the Irthi Crafts Council. By scaling up through strategic partnerships, we ensured the platform retained its impact and quality, setting a new benchmark for meaningful engagement in the sustainabile food systems space.

The Impact

The impact of the thought-leadership platform was amplified through partnerships with three international organizations, five research and academic institutions, five non-profits, and over eight startups and creatives, fostering a diverse and inclusive ecosystem of collaborators. The journey evolved strategically, transitioning from broad stakeholder gatherings to more targeted initiatives. This began with thought-provoking leadership sessions and a partnership with Prince Sultan University in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing academic and research engagement. It then expanded to include the private sector and waste management, exploring circular economy solutions. Ultimately, the platform extended its reach to youth and education, implementing hands-on applications and projects to inspire the next generation to take tangible steps toward sustainability.