Focus on Food Systems at SXSW
A Multi-dimensional Discussion to Further the SDGs
The annual SXSW gathering hosts a major multi-disciplinary conference spanning over 1,700 sessions. Our team at SDGCounting and our partners at have scoured hundreds of publicly available sessions to identify the ones most relevant to our readers.
While many sessions addressed health, the environment, and innovation, only a few were explicitly framed through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One exception was a panel discussion titled “Financing Food Fast: Blended Capital and the Race to 2030,” which brought together leaders from finance and government to explore transformative approaches to global food systems.
Given that the food sector accounts for roughly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and faces a pressing need to feed a rapidly growing population, the panel provided expert insights on how strategic investments and innovative partnerships can drive meaningful change. Throughout the discussion, panelists connected the potential for food-tech innovation with the SDGs.
Clear connections emerged from the conversation, linking this topic to 9 of the 16 SDGs and demonstrating it as a truly cross-cutting issue:
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Innovations in agtech can reduce food insecurity. - SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Producing nutrient-dense produce and diversified protein sources can enhance health and well-being. - SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Investing in food technology offers financial returns and creates new jobs. - SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The potential for innovation in this sector remains largely untapped. - SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Panelists discussed how equitable distribution can drive impact. - SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Reducing food waste is a central component of building food security. - SDG 13: Climate Action
With the food sector contributing nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, this issue is also a climate priority. - SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Innovation must be paired with effective regulation and support. - SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Public-private partnerships are integral to achieving lasting improvements.
Panelists for this session included:
- Elysabeth Alfano, VegTech Invest
- Sanah Baig, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Holly Freishtat, Milken Institute
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
The panelists underscored the urgent need to transform food systems to ensure global food security. They advocated for a comprehensive reimagining of the supply chain — from farm to fork — that not only increases yields but also improves nutrition and equity. Emphasizing the importance of diversification, Elysabeth Alfano stated,
“We can’t NOT invest in food innovation, because there is growing food insecurity around the globe.”
The discussion highlighted how targeted investments in innovative agtech and sustainable practices can overcome challenges such as shrinking farmland and an aging farmer population, laying the groundwork for a more secure and resilient food system.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The session connected the dots between food quality, public health, and nutrition. Amid rising rates of lifestyle diseases and escalating healthcare costs, the panel emphasized that healthier food systems are a public health imperative. Panelists discussed initiatives such as the “Food is Medicine” movement as a pathway to integrate nutrition into health policy, ensuring that investments in food innovation also promote overall well-being.
By focusing on nutrient-dense produce and diversified protein sources, experts argued that transforming food systems can simultaneously drive better health outcomes and ease the burden on healthcare systems.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
A persistent theme, given the speakers, was the role of innovative financing and blended capital in spurring economic growth. The panel stressed that mobilizing diverse funding — from Wall Street to government R&D and philanthropic contributions — is critical for de-risking investments in food tech. As Alfano put it,
“90% of the capital is on Wall Street. So if you don’t address Wall Street, you’re not going to be able to shift food system transformation.”
This approach not only fuels technological advancements in agriculture but also creates opportunities across the entire supply chain, fostering sustainable economic growth and job creation in both urban and rural communities.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Technological innovation served as a central pillar of the discussion. Panelists explored how emerging technologies — such as AI, biotech, and precision agriculture — can revolutionize traditional farming methods. By integrating these innovations into the food supply chain, stakeholders can enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and lower the environmental impact of food production. The notion that food tech is also climate tech encapsulated the session’s message: innovative solutions in the food sector can leverage broader environmental and infrastructural goals. This perspective aligns with ongoing efforts to track SDG data, demonstrating that investments in technology yield measurable improvements in sustainability metrics.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Addressing inequality within the food system emerged as another critical SDG tie-in. The discussion highlighted the need for policies and investments that support small and mid-sized producers, ensuring that rural communities and marginalized groups share the benefits of innovation. The panel called for a reexamination of existing subsidies and policy frameworks — such as the Farm Bill — to promote a more equitable distribution of resources. By empowering diverse stakeholders, the food system can become more inclusive and resilient, thereby reducing systemic inequalities.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The session took a deep dive into the significant challenge of food waste, which can account for up to 40% of global food production. Experts discussed innovative approaches — from advanced cold storage solutions to repurposing existing infrastructure — that can dramatically reduce waste along the supply chain. Moreover, the fact that only a fraction of climate tech funding is currently allocated to food innovation underscores the opportunity to rebalance investments toward more responsible consumption and production practices. Such strategies not only mitigate environmental impacts but also contribute to more efficient resource use across the board.
SDG 13: Climate Action
Given that the food sector contributes nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, climate action emerged as a prominent focus of the discussion. The panelists emphasized that investing in sustainable food tech can have a rapid, measurable impact on reducing emissions. As Alfano explained, the technology exists to make innovation faster and cheaper, which means:
“The food systems can change very quickly and that is one third of our greenhouse gas emissions”
This sentiment reinforces the urgent need for accelerated investments in food innovation as a strategic means to combat climate change and achieve ambitious global targets.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Policy reform and regulatory frameworks are crucial for supporting sustainable food systems. The session highlighted the need to modernize policies — particularly the Farm Bill — to better align subsidies with environmental sustainability, nutritional quality, and equity. By fostering greater transparency and accountability, for example through AI-powered supply chain monitoring, policymakers and industry leaders can collaborate to create a more just and resilient food system. This public-private partnership is essential for building robust frameworks that drive systemic change.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Throughout the discussion, the panelists emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration. They championed blended capital models that unite government funding, private investments, and philanthropic resources. Such partnerships are key to de-risking investments in food innovation and ensuring that technological breakthroughs benefit the entire food ecosystem. By working together, diverse stakeholders can harness the power of public-private partnerships to drive progress on multiple SDGs simultaneously — a strategy increasingly validated by SDG data and performance indicators.
Conclusion
The SXSW 2025 panel on financing food fast provided a compelling blueprint for how targeted investments, innovative technologies, and effective public-private partnerships can transform global food systems.
By aligning these efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals, stakeholders can address pressing challenges — from food insecurity and climate change to public health and inequality — in a holistic and measurable way.
As we approach the 2030 target for achieving the Global Goals, it is clear that strategic, collaborative investment in food innovation is not just a necessity but also a significant opportunity for global progress through a cross-cutting approach.
We encourage you listen to the session in its entirety on the SXSW website:
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Note: Generative AI tools were used in the creation of this article to assist with research, summarization, and editing.
