Our Story
In the winter of 2023, Tawanda Muzhingi and Matt Tom met at a one-day plant-based conference in the Midwest USA where they connected over a shared observation: they were among the few people of color in the room. Expressing other frustrations at the status quo in the alt protein industry motivated them to create the Global Forum for Plant-Based and Alternative Proteins.
Despite the sector’s growing momentum, access to research, innovation, and market opportunities remain scarce outside major innovation hubs. Without deliberate inclusivity, the global protein transition risks reinforcing existing inequalities, especially for women, minorities, and remote communities.
Our nonprofit responds to this challenge by embracing and celebrating the rich food cultures of the world, empowering and amplifying the voices of the under served, and providing affordable and accessible training and education to drive strategic partnerships, and stimulate trade and investments. With experience spanning 45 countries, we bring a truly global perspective to uplift diverse regional voices with a particular focus on the Global South.
What Makes Us Unique
What makes the Global Forum different than other orgs in the space?
Tawanda
We're not just one thing. We're not a trade association, a think tank, a research lab, an NGO, or a commercial investor conference. Instead, we are a global, inclusive platform that unites all of these worlds: science, industry, policy, and equity in one space. Matt
We're building a safe space that acknowledges and celebrates everyone's deep cultural food history and infuses it with a modern inclusive approach. We encourage authentic participation from anyone with a passion to make the world's food system better, unapologetically targeting peoples and regions that haven't traditionally been included at the table thus far. It's high time to disrupt the disruptors. All your base are belong to us. Jaishree
Diversity is in our DNA (literally!). We proactively bring people of color into the protein conversation to amplify their voices and rich culinary traditions.
Our Vision
We envision a future where a sustainable, ethical, and inclusive food system promotes accessible, nutritious, and affordable proteins for everyone.
Our Mission
Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of plant-based and alternative proteins by fostering global collaboration across industries, research institutions, and policymakers with a focus on the Global South and historically marginalized groups in the Global North.
Knowledge Sharing
We believe that the practice of gating cutting-edge knowledge behind exorbitant paywalls is a huge roadblock to progress. We host live events (in-person and virtual) open to the general public. We are also building a digital library of resources by our members for our members.
Global Engagement
Global collaboration is essential to address climate, nutrition, and food security challenges. No single country or institution can transform protein production alone. By uniting science, industry, policy, and communities, alternative proteins can move from niche innovation to a sustainable, equitable global solution.
Entrepreneurship
It's said that small business is the engine of the economy. We educate, train, and empower women, minorities, and other under represented groups in entrepreneurship to build skills, confidence, and community, with a strong emphasis on pay-it-forward. We stand on each others' shoulders as we spread into the future!
Why it matters
- Stimulate economic development: We unlock opportunities for job creation, investment, and sustainable economic growth by advancing the alternative protein sector across the Global South.
- Increase representation: By highlighting, empowering, and celebrating women, ethnic minorities, people in rural areas, and more, we incorporate a more diverse worldview which can expose blind spots, provide more opportunities for innovation, enhance idea exchange and collaboration, and forge more impactful partnerships. Everyone deserves a place at the table to shape the future of food.
- Increase food security: We must ensure access to affordable, nutrient-rich protein sources that can sustain growing populations while simultaneously reducing reliance on resource-intensive food & ag systems that exacerbate climate change.
- Reduce malnutrition: By introducing high-quality, culturally appropriate protein options tailored to the nutritional needs of diverse communities, we can tackle undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
- Improve livelihoods: We educate, train, and inspire smallholder farmers, entrepreneurs, and food producers to encourage innovation, drive local value chains, and create new markets that will ensure stability and security.
Our Values
Pragmatic approach
We can all dream of a better tomorrow, but measurable progress today is what makes it come true.
Diversity
The unknown unknowns are the most difficult to plan for, but extra perspective always helps reveal blindspots.
Equity
By ensuring the right resources and opportunities are available, we can help everyone succeed.
Inclusivity
We need to embrace and celebrate the rich cultural history of the peoples of the world.