FOOD FUNDED East 2026: Entrepreneurship & Investor Fair
Food entrepreneurs and investors convene for educational workshops and live investment presentations to catalyze funding for food ventures.
FOOD FUNDED East 2026 brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and food system changemakers to strengthen our region’s good food economy - a gathering for everyone shaping a more just and resilient food future.
Our theme this year, Built On Purpose: Where Food Business & Capital Align, explores how to build and fund businesses with a mission that can weather any storm, while expanding access to capital for underrepresented founders.
Welcome Keynote: Errol Schweizer, former Vice President of Grocery at Whole Foods Market, where he led grocery merchandising from 2009 to 2016 and helped introduce hundreds of natural and organic brands. He co-founded HERBL, Good Catch and Basics Market, and today advises more than 20 natural products companies.
Panel - Brands that Lead with Mission: John Lawson of Whole Foods Market, everyone's favorite forager, returns to host a panel with Sahra Nguyen of Nguyen Coffee, Djenaba Johnson of Hudson Kitchen and Anna Whiteman of Coefficient Capital.
Fireside Chat - Activating Integrated Capital for Resilient Food Systems: Christa Barfield, Founder and CEO of FarmerJawn and James Beard Leadership Award recipient, with two of her funders: Mark Watson of Potlikker Capital and Olivia Watkins of Black Farmer Fund.
Panel - Affordable Grocery Distribution: From City Investment to Community Power: On affordable community grocery, featuring Kim Calichio of Connected Chef, Steph Wiley of Brooklyn Packers, and Jenna Rice of Corbin Hill Food Project, moderated by Mark Chatarpal of NYC Food Policy Center
Plus plenty of opportunities to eat, meet, mingle, and build community together!
A highlight of the day will be the Entrepreneur Showcase. As always, we will feature a broad range of businesses in the local food sector as well as a variety of funding options:
Boheme Retreats – Black-owned outdoor hospitality brand expanding into farm hospitality in Oak Hill, NY
Boots Bread – Bakery in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, using grains grown in the Northeast, sourced from regional farms and mills
Down to Earth Markets – Mission-first B Corp that connects small scale farmers and food makers directly with consumers in NYC
Hot Oven Cookies – Product-first, community-driven baking empire launching a franchise program
NouBon – Caribbean-inspired snacks and nut butters
Precycle – Brooklyn-based zero-waste grocery offering fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials
The Purple Drop – Chicha morada, Peru's iconic purple corn drink with ancient Andean roots
The Infinite Table – Immersive dining venture that fuses 360° video, storytelling, and food to transport people into cultural stories around the world
Webatuck Valley Farm Collaborative – Regional food sovereignty and farm cooperative development initiative
What Makes FOOD FUNDED East Unique
This event celebrates the diversity of the NYC foodshed - rich in the people, cultures, and products that make our region so dynamic. Whether you’re building a business, backing one, or strengthening the local food ecosystem, this gathering is where ideas meet opportunity.
Who Should Attend
Food & Farm Entrepreneurs: At any stage, across all parts of the food chain - from soil to shelf.
Impact Investors: Individuals and institutions funding a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food future.
Ecosystem Builders & Connectors: Advisors, policymakers, and advocates who know that collaboration fuels change.
More information about the speakers and program can be found on the event website as they become available.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this powerful day of learning, networking, and deal-making. Register today and help build the resilient food system our region deserves.
We look forward to seeing you there!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR....