Members of the International Plant Based Foods Working Group convene to set plans for an ambitious global strategy.

New Delhi, May 24, 2022 – Following the momentous meeting of CEO Rachel Dreskin from the U.S.-based Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) and Executive Director Sanjay Sethi of India’s Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA), the International Plant Based Foods Working Group (IPBFWG) hosted an official meeting ahead of the upcoming 1st Plant-Based Foods Summit taking place at Hotel Le Meridien in New Delhi on May 26, 2022. 

PBFIA Executive Director Sanjay Sethi and PBFA CEO Rachel Dreskin

The IPBFWG, comprised of seven international plant-based food associations including PBFA, PBFIA, Plant-Based Foods of Canada, European Alliance for Plant Based Foods, European Plant-based Foods Association, Plant-Based Food Alliance UK, and China Plant Based Foods Association, is founded on the mission to support the development of the sector as it surges in popularity around the world. Members of the IPBFWG are associations that represent companies involved in the plant-based food space in their respective countries, united in their efforts to bring about a healthier, more sustainable, and more humane food system. During this meeting, Dreskin and Sethi were joined by PBFA board president Nicole Sopko, VP of Upton’s Naturals. 

PBFA Board President Nicole Sopko and CEO Rachel Dreskin with PBFIA’s Executive Director Sanjay Sethi and team Medha Gupta, and Narhari Gupta

Working group members came together to lay out an advanced governance structure of the IPBFWG that will allow for increased resources, capacity for international work that supports the transition to a plant-based food system, as well and global alignment on priorities and programs. 

“The connection and passion for advancing the plant-based foods movement can be felt across the globe,” said PBFA CEO Rachel Dreskin. “We are an industry united by a fervent mission to elevate and strengthen the ever-increasing number of companies in this space. By formalizing the IPBFWG’s structure, we have the foundation, through-lines, and expertise to drive change at the global level.”

With international momentum for plant-based foods at an all-time high, the IPBFWG’s meeting signals the start of a new generation of support and international collaboration to bring about a sustainable future where plant-based foods are accessible to all.

About PBFA

The Plant Based Foods Association is the only trade association in the U.S. representing over 350 of the nation’s leading plant-based food companies. PBFA’s mission is to champion, strengthen, and elevate our members and the plant-based food industry. PBFA empowers the industry by advocating for government policies that allow fair competition, while expanding market opportunities for retail, distribution, and foodservice to support the continued growth of the plant-based foods industry. The Plant Based Foods Institute, PBFA’s sister non-profit organization, is focused on driving a plant-based food system transition through policy and business strategies.

About PBFIA

The Plant Based Foods Industry Association is an ever-growing CEO-led body established by the food industry leaders to expedite the advancement of the plant-based sector in India to create a healthy and sustainable future for consumers, farmers, food industry personnel, investors and civil society.

About IPBFWG

The International Plant Based Foods Working Group is comprised of associations that represent companies involved in the plant-based food space in their respective countries.  We are united in our efforts to bring about a healthier, more sustainable, and more humane food system.  

About the Plant-Based Food Summit

Presented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and organized by the Plant Based Foods Industry Association, the Plant-Based Food Summit 2022 is the first of its kind national and international networking event for the next generation of leaders that aims to contribute to the planning, execution, and acceleration of plant-based food projects and initiatives in India.