About this Event
WHERE CANADA'S FOOD SYSTEM COMES TOGETHER
On October 8, 2026, more than 2,000 leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers and industry professionals will gather at The International Centre in Mississauga for FOOD FORWARD SUMMIT 2026.
FOOD FORWARD connects the people shaping the future of food across agriculture, aquaculture, food and consumer products, technology, investment, trade, research, government and community.
Across one full day, attendees will explore the ideas, technologies, partnerships and market opportunities transforming Canada's food economy.
MORE THAN A CONFERENCE
Expect three conference theatres, an Innovation Expo, startup programming, workshops, live demonstrations, curated networking and B2B matchmaking.
FOOD FORWARD is designed to create meaningful connections between the people producing food, building technology, investing capital, developing policy, commercializing research and opening new markets.
Whether you are looking for a customer, investor, buyer, supplier, technology partner, research collaborator or strategic connection, the Summit is built to make those conversations possible.
WHAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT
The 2026 programme spans Leadership, Innovation and Community, with conversations focused on:
• AI and the future of food
• Trade diversification and market access
• Investment and commercialization
• Agriculture, aquaculture and the blue economy
• Food manufacturing and supply-chain resilience
• Precision and climate-adapted agriculture
• Food security and affordability
• Research and technology commercialization
• Talent and the future of work
• Canada's competitiveness in the global food economy
The focus is not only on identifying challenges, but on connecting the people with the capital, technology, knowledge, market access and decision-making authority to act on them.
WHO'S IN THE ROOM
The 2026 speaker programme features leaders from organizations including Cargill, BMO Financial Group, RBC Thought Leadership, Farm Credit Canada, Canadian Food Innovation Network, Canada's Ocean Supercluster, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, National Research Council of Canada, Bayer, Mowi Canada and many more.
The room brings together corporate leaders, founders, producers, technologists, researchers, investors, policymakers and community organizations from across the food economy.
THREE THEATRES. ONE FOOD SYSTEM.
Leadership Theatre — Competitiveness, investment, trade, policy and market development.
Innovation Theatre — AI, agritech, food technology, biotechnology, automation, precision agriculture and ocean technology.
Community Theatre — Food security, affordability, Indigenous leadership, workforce development, entrepreneurship and community impact.
THE INNOVATION EXPO
Explore companies and organizations working across agriculture, CPG, food processing, AI, digital technology, aquaculture, ocean technology, sustainability, investment and research.
With 50+ exhibitors expected, the Expo creates a concentrated environment for discovery, partnerships and new business opportunities.
Exhibitor booths are $1,500, currently 67% off at $495. Options and applications are at foodforwardsummit.com/exhibitors
BUILT FOR CONNECTION
Some of the most valuable conversations at FOOD FORWARD will happen off stage.
• B2B matchmaking
• Curated networking
• Startup and investor connections
• Cross-sector introductions
• Event app access and attendee discovery
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
FOOD FORWARD is for anyone looking to:
• Grow their business or enter new markets
• Find partners, buyers, suppliers or investors
• Understand where policy, capital and technology are heading
• Launch or scale a product, technology or venture
• Learn from leaders working across the food system
• Help build a stronger, more resilient Canadian food economy
EVENT DETAILS
FOOD FORWARD SUMMIT 2026
Thursday, October 8, 2026
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The International Centre
6900 Airport Road
Mississauga, Ontario
Passes start at $149 CAD, currently 67% off at $49.17. Register on this page or at foodforwardsummit.com/tickets
THE FUTURE OF FOOD WILL NOT BE BUILT BY ONE SECTOR.
It will be built by producers, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, buyers, policymakers, technologists and communities working together.
Join them at FOOD FORWARD SUMMIT 2026.
Event venue & nearby stays
The International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.