2026 Canadian Food Summit
Register Now!
The 2026 CIFST Summit, hosted by the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology, is Canada’s premier gathering for food science and industry professionals. Bringing together leaders from industry, government, and academia, the Summit explores emerging trends, applied research, sustainability, and the growing role of AI in food innovation. Through expert-led plenaries, technical sessions, and high-impact networking, the event connects the people shaping the future of Canada’s food system.
We are excited to announce that the 2026 Canadian Food Summit is officially taking place June 10 – 12, 2026, in the Hilton Meadowvale, Mississauga, ON.
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This year we are marking a major milestone – 75 years of advancing food science and technology in Canada!
What is the Summit?
The CIFST Summit is a national conference designed to:
- Showcase current and emerging industry trends
- Highlight applied research across government, academia, and industry
- Explore strategies for sustainability and resilience in the Canadian food sector and CIFST Cluster
- Examine opportunities for AI in food production and product development
- Provide a platform for dialogue on scientific issues and public policy
- Provide opportunity to build your professional network and interact with other industry professionals!
Through plenary sessions, technical presentations, and facilitated discussions, the Summit delivers both strategic insight and practical takeaways for today’s food professionals.
Important Dates
| Registration opens | Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |
| Early bird registration closes | Friday, April 24, 2026 |
| Registration closes | Thursday, May 28, 2026 |
| Call for Abstracts opens | Thursday, January 8, 2026 |
| Abstract submission closes | Thursday, March 12, 2026 |
| Late-Breaking Abstract Submission closes | Monday, April 6, 2026 |
| Hotel booking deadline | Friday, May 8, 2026 |
Who Should Attend?
The Summit is designed for:
- Food scientists and technologists
- R&D and product development professionals
- Quality assurance and regulatory leaders
- Government policy makers and regulators
- Academic researchers and students
- Industry executives and innovators
- Sustainability and supply chain professionals
- Food scientists and technologists
- R&D and product development professionals
- Quality assurance and regulatory leaders
- Government policy makers and regulators
- Academic researchers and students
- Industry executives and innovators
- Sustainability and supply chain professionals
If you are shaping, regulating, researching, or innovating within Canada’s food system, this event is for you.
Join us in celebrating 75 years of CIFST Innovation in Canada.
2026 Keynote Presentations
The Next 75 Years: Strategies for Securing Canada’s Food Sector Success
Dana McCauley, CEO
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)
The Future of AI in Food Manufacturing: From Detection to Intuitive Automation
Amir Abou, Founder
SenseForge
Conference Organizing Committee
Conference Organizing Committee
Marcia English – Co-Chair
Yvonne Yuan – Co-chair
Pervin Ari Akin
Leanne Blommaert
Amy Bowen
Hosahalli Ramaswamy
Amanda Wright
Abstract Review Committee
Pervin Ari Akin
Amy Bowen
Marcia English
Glenford Jameson
Monique Lacroix
Hosahalli Ramaswamy
Amanda Wright
Our Commitment to Sustainability
Our association is committed to advancing sustainability within the food system. We support this commitment by delivering educational webinar content focused on sustainability topics and by actively promoting the CIFST Food Sustainability and Resilience Cluster.