And we're back and off to a great start for FEAD! Many new first years interested in jobs in the world of food and agribusiness and many new companies interested in FEAD members.

We're delighted to have Cargill as one of FEAD's founding sponsors and we welcomed them to campus in October for a Full-Time recruiting event for Cargill's Strategy and Business Development Program (SBD), one of the top Leadership Development Rotational Programs in town.

 Presentation to 2nd Years on SBD Program by one of Cargill's VPs

We have an exciting agenda scheduled for the rest of the year so stay tuned...

Last Thursday, FEAD hosted FMS, a financial and management company that helps investors identify opportunities in the Agribusiness sector in Latin America, for a Lunch and Learn. FMS gave a presentation on why the agribusiness sector is one of the "hot areas" to invest in over the short and long term future. They also discussed their strategic vision on how to execute these investment strategies.

 FEAD Co-Chair and Uruguayan native, Andres Imaz introducing FMS

FEAD partnered with Chicago Booth student Group, Net Impact, for a visit to the Plant,  a part vertical farm, part food-business incubator, part research and education space located in Chicago in a former meatpacking facility. We had a great tour and learned about a different and innovative approach to growing food.


From the Plant:
"From its beginnings as a 93,500 s.f. meatpacking facility, The Plant is being repurposed into a net-zero energy vertical farm and food business operation. A complex and highly interrelated system, one-third of The Plant will hold aquaponic growing systems and the other two-thirds will incubate sustainable food businesses by offering low rent, low energy costs, and (eventually) a licensed shared kitchen. The Plant will create 125 jobs in Chicago’s economically distressed Back of the Yards neighborhood – but, remarkably, these jobs will require no fossil fuel use. Instead, The Plant will install a renewable energy system that will eventually divert over 10,000 tons of food waste from landfills each year to meet all of its heat and power needs."

FEAD participated in the Booth Charity Auction last week and donated a Chicago Green City Farmer's Market Gift Basket. All proceeds are going to  Big Shoulders Fund, Keep On Keeping On, and Minds Matter of Chicago. Thanks to Giving Something Back for organizing the event!

FEAD Co-Chair, Catey Mark, presenting our gift basket

Hello!

During the first week of the Spring quarter, FEAD held its first official membership drive, successfully bringing our total membership to over 150 full time Booth students who hail from all over the world! 

To celebrate, at the end of the week FEAD sponsored a Booth Liquidity Preference Function (LPF), full of food, drinks, and general merriment!

We have an exciting quarter of events and activities planned, so stay tuned for more updates and photos...  

FEAD Co-Chairs, Monica Ganley and Christian Papaynaoplous, at our membership drive table

FEAD Co-Chair, Carolyn Kriss, at our sponsored LPF 

Our Menu for those who find this stuff fun...

Local Cheese Platter

 Wisconsin Farmstead Bleu, Goat Gouda, and Cheddar Cheeses

Garnished with mixed olives, assorted nuts, sliced artisan breads & crackers from our local bakery

“Farmers Market” Salad

 Chopped Romaine, Mixed Greens, and Baby Spinach topped with fresh, crisp vegetables to include:  cherry tomatoes, green peppers, corn, scallions, shredded carrots, cucumber disks, and broccoli

Served with housemade dressings: herb vinaigrette, creamy ranch, and basil - balsamic.

 Cous Cous Salad

 Cous Cous tossed with red peppers, walnuts, and dried apricots, cranberries, cherries, and  a spiced red wine vinaigrette.

Kabobs

 Beef

Chicken

Skewered with peppers, onions, and mushrooms

Served with cucumber-yogurt dipping sauce and roasted red pepper aioli

Apple Cobbler

Chopped apples topped with buttery cinnamon crumble and baked golden brown. Served with warm caramel sauce and whipped cream.

On February 28th, 2012 FEAD became an official student group at Chicago Booth. To mark this occasion we threw FEAD a birthday celebration! With a great turnout we discussed FEAD's mission, goals, membership details, and upcoming events. A quick overview--the Food, Environment, Agribusiness and Development (FEAD) Group is a new professional group at Booth for students interested in careers in food and agribusiness, ranging from agricultural production, commodity investing, CPG, restaurant retail, and more. In the Spring quarter, FEAD plans to host several events, including:

-Food/Agriculture Entrepreneurship Meetup 
-Chicago Board of Trade Visit
-Chef/Restaurateur Panel

-Social event with UChicago Policy School Food Policy Group and Law School Food Law Group
-Craft Brew Making Business Field Trip
-Green City Farmers Market Tour

Happy Birthday FEAD!

Presentation on FEAD's Mission

Discussing the major challenges facing the global food system

Celebration Time!

FEAD Co-Chairs (left to right) Catey Mark, Carolyn Kriss, Christian Papayanopolous, Tyler White, and Andre Imaz

FEAD Co-Chairs (from left to right) Andre Imaz, Carolyn Kriss, Tyler White, Catey Mark, and Monica Ganley welcome 1st Round Admits to Booth during Admit Weekend I.