Upcycled Food Association sets global research symposium for Food Loss and Waste Day

The Upcycled Food Association and its nonprofit foundation are using the U.N.’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste to showcase new research on upcycled food. The Sept. 29-30 virtual symposium follows a June 2025 global research launch and is meant to help companies cut waste, lower costs and support climate goals.

Why it matters: - Food loss and waste remains a global supply chain problem, and upcycled food is being positioned as one way to turn would-be waste into value. - The virtual symposium is designed to connect research with industry practice, which could help companies improve circular food systems and consumer-facing product strategies. - The timing around the U.N.-recognized awareness day gives the event a built-in platform for public attention.

What happened: - The Upcycled Food Association is hosting Global Symposium III on Sept. 29-30, 2026. - The event is virtual and will feature 18 speakers, scholars and students. - Participants are coming from Canada, Japan, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, Turkey and the U.S. - The symposium includes a special spotlight panel co-hosted with Where Food Comes From, the owner and administrator of Upcycled Certification. - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations marks the seventh International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on Sept. 29.

The details: - In June 2025, the Upcycled Food Foundation launched the world’s first Global Scientific Research Community during Upcycled Food Month. - That launch included two virtual symposiums in 2025. - Forty students and academic researchers from 12 countries presented 18 hours of quantitative and qualitative upcycled food research. - The Upcycled Food Association says companies of all sizes have continued growing upcycled food globally since the group began in 2019. - The association’s work spans the food supply chain and focuses on reducing wasted food. - More information, registration and resources are available at upcycledfood.org.

Between the lines: - The symposium signals a shift from broad awareness toward more formal research infrastructure for the upcycled food category. - The focus on consumer insights and scientific advances suggests the industry is trying to move beyond concept-stage sustainability messaging and into measurable market adoption. - A global speaker lineup also suggests the movement is trying to standardize ideas across regions rather than remain a niche U.S.-based effort.

What's next: - UFF’s symposium will continue Sept. 29-30, 2026, with research presentations and the spotlight panel. - The Upcycled Food Association and Upcycled Food Foundation are expected to use the event to identify research gaps and build momentum for future collaboration. - The organization is directing attendees to its website for registration and educational materials.

The bottom line: - Upcycled food is moving from awareness into a more organized global research and industry network, with the next symposium set to highlight where the field is growing and where it still needs evidence.