Upcoming Exhibition Provides Food for Thought on the Future of What We Eat

The Lawrence Hall of Science is gearing up to launch Future of Food, the first installment in its new Global Issues Exhibitions series. This rotating exhibition series, which will introduce a new theme every two years, explores pressing global challenges through interactive and engaging displays. Future of Food will dive into the complex world of food production, sustainability, and innovation, offering visitors a thought-provoking look at how we grow, distribute, and consume food in an ever-changing world.

“Science and technology can be found in so much of the food process—from where and how food grows, to cooking food, to how food nourishes us,” said Michelle Rodriguez, Public Experience Design Lead. “We chose to focus on food because people can connect with it on so many levels. It’s also universal; everyone has to eat!”

The exhibition aims to show that food is more than just sustenance—it is a force that unites communities, preserves cultural traditions, and shapes our environment. Visitors will learn not all food is created equal, and the way we produce and consume it has far-reaching consequences.

With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and cultural heritage, Future of Food explores how food can not only nourish but also heal—our bodies, our communities, and our planet. Through a thoughtful balance of nature, science, and technology, this exhibit challenges visitors to rethink what’s on their plate and what the future of food might look like.

“This is a new type of exhibition for us,” said Lee Bishop, Biotech Design Lead. “As our first major ‘Global Issues’ exhibition, it focuses on a kind of science that tells a story all the way from big global issues like climate change, to societal level things like how food brings people together, to our food choices and the impacts on our gut microbiomes.”

The exhibit helps visitors explore big questions about food in fun and interactive ways. What will food look like in the future, and how will it affect our health? How does food bring people together and help us share traditions? And how can we take care of our planet while growing the food we need? 

Through hands-on activities and real-world stories, Future of Food invites kids and families to discover how science, culture, and nature all play a role in what we eat.

“Our current exhibits do a good job of helping families explore and engage in science ideas together, and I’m excited to build on that by intentionally having more complex science ideas that connect to societal issues–such that parents and older kids will connect in a new way to these exhibits,” Bishop said. 

In designing this exhibit, community members and Lawrence visitors have been put in the driver’s seat: The Lawrence held community focus groups and hands-on prototyping sessions to shape the exhibition’s story and interactive experience. Signage in this bilingual exhibit will be in Spanish and English, and incorporate elements of Chochenyo, the language of the East Bay Ohlone people.

“This exhibit was designed in close collaboration with our community partners to make sure we were responding to their questions and ideas,” said Bishop. “Through that work, we have identified and are featuring stories of a few different Food Heroes from the community—people working to bring about what they would like to see in the future of food.”

Each section of the exhibit highlights real people from the Bay Area who are making a difference in food sustainability, innovation, and access. By sharing their stories alongside hands-on science activities, Future of Food shows visitors that science isn’t just something that happens in a lab—it’s happening all around us, in our kitchens, farms, and communities.

“We hope to inspire young people by introducing them to people who are making a difference and showing them the vast range of STEM careers connected to food,” Rodriguez added.

Visitors will get a glimpse into the future of farming with innovations like automated farming robots developed at UC Davis, and gene editing research right here in Berkeley where crops are improved to withstand the challenges of climate change. The exhibit also explores protein alternatives, gut health, and the many ways science and technology are shaping what we eat. By connecting these advances to real-world challenges, Future of Food encourages visitors to think about how their choices can contribute to a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.

Future of Food opens for a member and special guest preview on Friday, March 7, with a public opening the following day. With its mix of interactive science, real-world stories, and big ideas about the future of food, this exhibit invites visitors to explore how they can be part of building a healthier, more sustainable world—one meal at a time.