Join us on Friday, October 17th, 2025 at UCLA's Hershey Hall for a groundbreaking event centered on building sustainable food systems and relationships.
In collaboration with FoodCycle, UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, FoodCycle, Los Angeles Food Policy Council, and Los Angeles Food Equity Office, with support from End Hunger LA and the US Department of Agriculture, Closing the Circle will raise awareness, promote policy change, and inspire action about the scale of food waste and the potential of surplus food systems.
Building community resilience through local food systems.
Become a Sponsor
Cultivate - $5,000
Featured logo placement on conference masthead
Recognition during opening and closing ceremonies
Acknowledgment during plenary sessions
Dedicated page feature on conference website
Nurture - $2,500
Logo displayed on all conference materials
Dedicated page feature on conference website
Cultivate - $1000
Logo displayed on all conference materials
Exhibition space in networking area
Half-page advertisement in program
Conference Schedule
8:30 - 9:15 AM
Registration, Breakfast, and Networking
9:15 - 9:30 AM
Land Acknowledgement
Rebecca Robles
9:30 - 9:45 AM
Introduction & Data Gathering Overview
Presenter: Erica Lee, Assistant Director , UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies
9:45 am - 10:30 am
Food Loss and Waste Across the Food System Panel Discussion
Presenter: Ana-Alicia Carr, Director of Policy & Coalitions, Los Angeles Food Policy Council
10:45 - 11:30 AM
Integrating Farmers and Agricultural Surplus into the Food Recovery System: Hershey Hall 158
Lisa Johnson USDA, Food Forward, Farmlink, Sharing Excess, Farm 2 People
History of Food Recovery Policies: Hershey Hall
Steve Finn Where we come from and where we are going
CalRecycle and Reporting Compliance: Hershey Hall
Michelle Mikesell from LASAN and Alyson Schill Careit
11:45 - 12:30 PM
Using GIS to Inform Food Surplus Funding
Presenter: Dr.Kayla de la Haye, USC Associate Professor (Research) of Psychology and Spatial Sciences
12:30 - 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 - 2:00 PM
The Critical Role of Collaboration in Changing Our Food System
Presenter: Paula Daniels, Executive Director of the LA County Office of Food Systems
2:00 - 2:45 PM
Institutional Food Waste Working Group
Urban Agriculture Working Group Presenter: Valeria Velazquez, Director, Programs & Innovation, Los Angeles Food Policy Council
Food Alliance Working Group Presenter: Deja Thomas, Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Community Initiatives
3:00 - 3:45 PM
Panel Discussion: Funding the Future Break Room:Grant Writing Workshop
4:00 - 4:30 PM
The Importance of Connecting with Food
Presenter: Dr. Vetri Nathan, UCLA Associate Professor in The Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies
4:30 - 5:30 PM
From Surplus to Solutions: Discussions on Complimentary Organizational Needs and Resources
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Upcycled Happy Hour
Upcycled Happy Hour
Join us for an evening of networking and creative refreshments featuring innovative dishes crafted from rescued food ingredients.
Mingle with industry leaders, sustainability experts, and fellow attendees while enjoying signature cocktails and appetizers that showcase the culinary possibilities of reducing food waste.
Thank You for Being Part of Closing the Circle 2025!
Working together to harness food surplus, develop innovative solutions, and build partnerships that address food insecurity while promoting equitable access to nutritious food for all communities.