27th International Conference of FFC

Functional Food Center is pleased to announce its 27th International Conference "Functional Foods, Bioactive Compounds and Biomarkers: Health Promotion and Disease Management". The conference will be held in Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School Boston, the USA on September 20-21, 2019. This conference will bring together experts in medicine, biology, and the food industry to discuss the functional foods with bioactive compounds as dietary interventions for chronic diseases. Conference organized by FFC and Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory at Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Teaching Hospital.

Main Conference Topics/Sessions

Session Topics:

• Functional Food Definition and the Status of Functional Foods in Japan, US and other Countries
• Functional Foods and Biactive Compounds for Healthy Aging
• Nutrition, Functional Foods, and Bioactive Compounds to Prevent and Manage Obesity
• Nutrition, Functional Foods, and Diabetes
• Nutrition, Functional Foods, and Neurological Diseases
• Nutrition, Functional Foods, and Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)
• Nutrition, Functional Foods, and Cancer
• Functional Foods with Bioactive Compound(s): Prevention and Management of Non-communicable Diseases
• Safety of the Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods
• Biomarkers , Functional Foods, and Chronic Disease
• Special Session: Functional Food, Microbiome and Cancer
• Special Session: Dietary Exosomes and their Cargos
• Special session: Engineering bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds
• Current Research and Development of New Functional Food Products

For more details about the Sessions and main conference topics, please visit conference Topics and Sessions page.

Call for Abstracts:

The abstract submission has been now extended until July 30, 2019, 5pm due to requests from the potential participants. . The entire abstract should have a maximum of 1,000 words, up to three pages (including references). There is no up-front fee for submitting a conference abstract. Once the abstract is generally accepted for the conference, the corresponding/first author is responsible to pay the abstract publication fee of $49 within 10 days. Failure to pay the abstract publication fee within 10 days after abstract acceptance day will result in a late abstract publication fee of $99. First authors are expected to register, pay the conference and abstract fee, and present the paper (if submission is accepted). In the case of an emergency and the author(s) are unable to attend the conference, they are required to pay an abstract publication fee of $99. Decisions on selection will be promptly communicated to the authors via e-mail. All contributions will be reviewed, and accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings book. Please email your abstract as an attachment to ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net. Please review our sample abstract.

There is no charge for the withdrawal of an abstract before May 31, 2019. In the case that the first author cannot attend the conference and present, he or she must contact the conference organizing committee via e-mail at ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net, to provide notification of withdrawal or to request a substitute presenter. Withdrawals must be received before May 31, 2019.

Please note: Abstracts withdrawn after May 31, 2019, will be published and the first author will be expected to pay the abstract publication fee. The conference does not provide financial support nor registration fee waivers for any presentations.

To avoid the last-minute rush, submit your abstract in advance. Abstracts received by the Conference Organizing Committee after July 30th, 2019, at 5 pm will not be accepted. For any information concerning publications, please contact us at ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net. For more information about abstract submission, click here.

Instructions for Poster Presenters:

Poster presentations allow the audience to get a clear visual of the presenters' work in a simple format. The reasonable size for posters is 2.5 feet width(76.2 Centimeter), 3.5 feet height(106.68 Centimeter).

Poster Presentation Recommendations:

The poster should clearly present the title, the author(s), affiliation(s), and a description of the research, along with highlighting the abstract's major elements.Remember that pictures, tables, and figures are key to any poster display. At least 50% of the surface area should be used for photos, graphs, or diagrams. Good use of color and the use of black or dark blue for text. Too much color can be hard to read! One or two large, high-quality photographs attract attention. Make the title large and clear! Include author(s) name(s) and address(es). Your poster title should be easily readable from 3 - 4 meters away. We recommend the following sections on the poster: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Tables, Figures, Results, and Conclusions. For more information about poster sessions, please click here.

Registration Fees:

The registration fee will cover the Conference Proceedings book (Abstract book) and lunches and refreshments for two days. It will also cover a 12-month membership to the Academic Society for Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds. Each registration allows the registrant to present up to 3 accepted abstracts maximum. Registration includes access to the entire program and Expo, meals, presentation materials and networking with expert speakers and organizing committee members.

Cancellation Policy: Before May 30, 2019: 75% refund; before June 30, 2019: 50%refund; after June 30, 2019: No refund. Reimbursements will be sent after the conference. Notice of cancellation of registration must be received in writing to the Conference Secretariat, at: ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net. All refunds will be provided after the conference within 14 days.

You may click here to make a payment for the conference registration fee.

Conference registration fees are in USD 

Registration Type	Registration Fee   May 1st to June 1st, 2019	Registration Fee   June 1st to August 1st, 2019	Registration Fee   August 1st to September 1st, 2019	Registration Fee   September 1st to September 14th, 2019
Student Nonmembers* Student Members of ASFFBC	200.00 150.00	225.00 175.00	250.00 200.00	275.00 225.00
USDA and NIH Repr., Dietitians and Retired Professionals* Members of  ASFFBC	300.00 225.00	325.00 250.00	350.00 275.00	395.00 325.00
Academic (Researchers and Professors at Universities) Members of ASFFBC	575.00 475.00	600.00 500.00	645.00 545.00	695.00 595.00
Food and Medical Industry -Nonmembers Members of ASFFBC	675.00 575.00	700.00 600.00	745.00 645.00	795.00 695.00
Exhibitor/Vendor	725.00	800.00	845.00	895.00
Abstract Publication Fee	49.00	49.00	99.00	99.00
Evening Networking Reception on September 20th, 2-19	Included in Conference Registration Fee	Included in Conference Registration Fee	Included in Conference Registration Fee	Included in Conference Registration Fee

*Must present ID

Please note: space at this conference is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Students enrolled in an undergraduate program (MS, Ph.D. or MD) are eligible for the Student Discount rate. When you register for the conference, you must enter your mentor's name and Email address during checkout to verify your student status.

Paper Submission:

The abstract submission has been now extended until July 30, 2019 due to requests from the potential participants. Full-text papers for oral presentations or posters should be submitted before July 30th, 2019. Power Points for oral presentations should be submitted before September 13th, 2019. Please send all documents to ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net.

Please note that the program and sessions are subject to change.

*Disclaimer: Functional Food Center, Inc, is not affiliated with Harvard Medical School, nor is Functional Food Center, Inc, a Harvard Medical School program or activity.

For more information about the conference, please contact us by e-mail at ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net. For international calls, please use: 469-441-8272, Toll free: 1-866-202-0487

Conference Organizers:

Conference organized by Functional Food Center and Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory at Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Teaching Hospital

Organizing Committee Members:

Jin-Rong (Joseph) Zhou, PhD, Conference co-chairman, Associate Professor of Surgery, Director of Nutrition/Metabolism Laboratory at Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Danik Martirosyan, PhD, Conference co-chairman, President, Functional Food Center/Functional Food Institute, Dallas, TX, USA

Amrendra Ajay, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Uma Naidoo, MD, Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (Mood-Food Expert), Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Gabriela Riscuta MD, CNS, Program Director, Nutritional Science Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

Debasis Bagchi, PhD, Professor in the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA

Conference Program 

September 20-21, 2019

8:15-8:45 Registration

8:45-9:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks.

Session 1. Opening and Keynote Session. Session Chair(s): 

9:00-9:40 Jay Whelan, Keynote Speaker, PhD, Professor, and the Department Head of Public Health at the University of Tennessee. Currently, he is researching different bioactive compounds and their effect on the mouse model. His primary research interests include  the effect of dietary fats (omega-3 and -6) on the cellular and biomolecular level in the respect to cancer. He will be presenting on the topic of LKB1 and CaMKK2, a tumor suppressor and a tumor promotor, which are antithetically regulated by a well-defined blend of herbal extracts. Dr. Jay Whelan will be explaining his results of how a mixture of 10 herbal extracts has anticancerous properties through the regulation of 2 signaling pathways.  LKB1 and CaMKK2, a Tumor Suppressor and a Tumor Promotor, are Antithetically Regulated by a Well-Defined Blend of Herbal Extracts

9:40-10:10  Uma Naidoo, Special lecture, MD, Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (Mood-Food Expert), Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Dr. Uma Naidoo is also a Culinary Instructor at The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. She graduated from Harvard as a Medical Doctor of Psychiatry as well as Cambridge School of Culinary Arts with High Honors and M.F.K. Fisher Award as a professional chef. Currently, she works as a Harvard Psychiatrist and Professional Chef Innovator (the leading Mood-Food Expert), Instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has been recognized for being an expert in the connection between diet/nutrition and mental health.  Food Labels and Mental Health: Is there a Connection?

10:10-10:25 Coffee Break

Session 2: Functional Food Definition, Status, and Regulation. Session Chairs:  Dr. Debasis Bagchi and Dr. Willette Crawford

10:25-10:55 Danik Martirosyan, PhD, President, Functional Food Institute, Dallas, TX, USA. Evaluating BioMedical Data by using Functional Food Definition

10:55-11:20 Willette Crawford, PhD, MPH, Principal Consultant and Owner at Katalyst Consulting LLC, Instructor at Northeastern University, San Francisco, USA. Food Bioactive Compounds: Regulatory Challenges

11:20-11:45 Izabela Tanska, Food Law Advisor, IGI Food Consulting LLC, Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance Department, Warszawa, Poland. The EU Regulatory Framework Affecting the Functional Food Promotion by Healthcare Professionals.

11:45-12:10 Debasis Bagchi, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA. Nutraceuticals and Functional Food Regulations in the United States with a Special Emphasis on Food Label Claims and GRAS Approval

12:10-13:10 Lunch

Session 3: Functional Foods, Bioactive Compounds and Nutrition for Cancer. Session Chair: Sheila M. Wicks, MD

13:10-13:35 Akinori Yanaka, MD, PhD, Professor, Hitachi Medical Education and Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Hitachi, Ibaraki,  Japan. Daily Intake of Sulforaphane-Rich Broccoli Sprouts Improves Bowel Habits in Human Subjects, by Strengthening Nrf2-Dependent Anti-Oxidant Systems, and by Normalizing Intestinal Microbiota

13:35-13:55 Alexandra Zambrano, MSc. Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.  Soursop (Annona muricata L.) and Blackberry (Rubus glaucus B.) as Potential Ingredients to Prevent Different Types of Cancer

13:55-14:20 Sheila M. Wicks, MD, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Black Cohosh extracts, Actein and 23-Epi-26-deoxyactein have biphasic effects on cultured COV-434 ovarian granulosa tumor cells by acting as HDAC/SIRT agonists/antagonists

14:20-14:40 Coffee Break and Networking

Session 4. Bioactive Compounds and Biomarkers for Chronic Disorders: Session Chair Amranda Ajay

14:40-15:05 Manashi Bagchi, PhD, Victory Nutrition International, Inc., Department t of Research and Development, Lederach, PA, USA.  A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on N-SORB, a Proprietary KD120 MEC Metabolically Activated Enzyme Formulation

15:05-15:30 Harry Preuss, PhD, Professor, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. Assessing the Triglyceride/HDL-Cholesterol Ratio as a Surrogate for Insulin Resistance and its Link to the Metabolic Syndrome in Hispanics and African-Americans

15:30-15:55 Christina Khoo, PhD, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc, Lakeville, MA, USA. Cranberry: Beyond UTI

15:55-16:20 Bernd Markert, PhD, Professor, Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks in Haren, German. From the Age of Information Technology to the Age of Psychology - the Superessentiality of Chemical Element Lithium, Part 5

16:20-16:45 Amrendra K Ajay, PhD, Faculty, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Mechanism of Action of Functional Lipids and Metabolites for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

16:45-17:30 Session 5. Poster Session and Exhibition

17:30 Conference Closing

September 21, 2019

Session 6: Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds for Disease Management and Healthy Aging. Session Chair: Dr. Debasis Bagchi

8:45-9:05 Monal Velangi, PhD, Department of Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics, College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan, University of Mumbai, India; K.J.Somaiya Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, India. Effect of Vitamin D3 and Virgin Coconut Oil on Cartilage Degeneration, Inflammation and Functional Abilities in Early Knee Osteoarthritis

9:05-9:25 Myriam Merarchi, PhD Student, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France. Molecular Targets Modulated by Fangchinoline in Breast Cancer

9:25-9:45 Cedric B. Baker, Pharm.D., Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Mercer University, College of Pharmacy Atlanta, GA, USA. Hormetins and Xenohormetins in Functional Dietary Phytochemical Patterns: Select Mediterranean, Latin American, and Asian Diets Promote Longevity

9:45-10:15 Debasis Bagchi, PhD, Proffesor, University of Houston, College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, USA. VMP35 MNC, A Novel Iron-Free Supplement, Enhances Cytoprotection Against Anemia in Human Subjects: A Clinical Investigation

10:15-10:35 Coffee Break and Networking

Session 7: Functional Foods, Metabolism and Diabetes. Session Chair: Bodo Melnik, MD, Professor

10:35-11:00 George Birkmayer, MD, PhD, Institute for Parkinson Therapy, George Birkmayer NADH – Vienna, Austria. NADH (Coenzyme-1) in Prevention and Therapy of Diabetes Type-2

11:00-11:25 Xiuhua Liu, PhD, Professor and Dean, Henan University, Henan Kaifeng, China. Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immune-Engineering of Henan Province, Key Laboratory for Special Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Pharmaceutical College, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, China. α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb)

11:25-11:50 Dinia R. Dwijayanti, PhD Student, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan. Bitter Melon Fruit Extract Affects Hepatic Expression of the Henes Involved in Inflammation and Fatty acid Metabolism in Ob/Ob Mice

11:50-12:15 Bodo Melnik, MD, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory University of Osnabrück, Germany. The Impact of Persistent Milk Consumption in the Pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Lunch: 12:15-13:15

Session 8: Current Research and Development of New Functional Food Products: Session Chair: Danik Martirosyan, PhD

13:15-13:35 Doman Kim, PhD, Professor, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang Gangwon, Korea. Composition and Biochemical Properties of L-Carnitine Fortified Makgeolli Brewed by Using Fermented Buckwhea

13:35-13:55 Kubra Dogan, PhD Student, Department of Food Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Faculty of Chemistry and Metallurgical Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey.  Improvement of Bioavailability of Some Medicinal Herbs by Fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum

13:55-14:15 Abnita Thakuria, Ph.D., Department of Foods and Nutrition, Faculty of Family and Community Sciences, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. An In vitro Study of the Prebiotic Properties of Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) and Organoleptic Evaluation of XOS Added Prawn Patia and Black rice Kheer

14:15-14:35 Ozan N. Ciftci, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE , USA. Increasing Bioavailability of Water-Insoluble Bioactive Compounds Using Nanoporous Gioaerogels and Supercritical Fluid Technology

14:35-14:45 Coffee Break

14:45-15:30 Session 9. Poster Session and Exhibition

15:30-15:45 Awards and Certificates

15:45-16:05 Conference Closing

*Please note: Schedule subject to change.

Abstract Accepted for the Presentation:

Poster presentation recommendations:

• Poster presentations give the audience a clear visual of the presenter's work in a simple format. The reasonable size for posters is 2.5 feet wide by 3.5 feet high.
• Present the title, the author(s), affiliation(s), and a description of the research, along with highlighting the abstract's major elements.
• Minimize detail and try to use simple statements. Keep it short and easy to read.
• Remember that pictures, tables, and figures are key to any poster display.
• If possible, use color in your visuals.
• Don't overwhelm the audience with excessive information. Instead, construct a display that enhances the presentation.
• At least 50% of the surface area should be used for photos, graphs and diagrams.
• Use a clear structure and layout.
• Use complementary colors. Use black or dark blue for text. Too much color can be hard to read!
• One or two large, high quality photographs attract attention.
• Your title should be a condensed statement of the main idea of your poster. It should be large and clear.
• Your poster title should be easily readable from a distance of 3-4 meters. Include author(s) name(s), and address(es).
• We recommend the following sections on the poster: Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Tables, Figures, Results, and Conclusions.
• Please confirm your poster number on the list. The posters with odd numbers will be presented on September 20, 2018 and the posters with even numbers will be presented on September 21, 2018.
• Please put up your own poster in the position indicated by your presentation number by noon of each day. Presentation numbers are already indicated on display panels. Please check your presentation number and be careful to put up your poster on the correct panel. Please use pins to put up posters. Please do not use glue or sellotape.
• Please present your work in front of your own poster during the poster session.
• The best poster presentation award will be chosen by votes of all participants.
• Posters will be changed every day. Please help by taking your own poster down. Posters still displayed after the removal time has passed will be disposed of by the secretary the following day.
• For more information on oral presentation please visit conference program page.

Portrait size: 2.5 feet width(76.2 centimeters), 3.5 feet height(106.68 centimeters)

Abstracts Accepted for Presentation (Abstracts list will be updated soon, this is a sample list from FFC26 conference)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue and Accommodation

The conference will take place at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School on September 20-21, 2019. Please read on to find more information regarding the venue, hotel, and possible places to visit while staying in Boston! Venue Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical School The conference will be held at the Joseph B. Martin Conference Center (77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA). The conference center is located within The New Research Building at Harvard Medical School. Please refer to the campus map for directions. If you have any general question about the conference room location, directions, parking, etc., please call us (469-441-8272) You can find out some interesting information on FFC's 27th International Conference in the website of  Environmental Institute of Scientific Networks (Lower Saxony, Germany): https://www.eisn-institute.de/boston-2019/, or click here to open pdf file.

Accommodations: Recommended Hotels

The Inn at Longwood Medical 342 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 617-731-4700 www.innatlongwood.com This is located within walking distance of MCCHMS.	Fairmont Copley Plaza 138 St. James Avenue Boston, MA 0221 617-267 5300 www.Fairmont.com/copley-plaza-boston This is about 10-minute cab ride from the facility and also accessible on the MBTA.
Courtyard Boston Brookline 40 Webster Street Brookline, MA 02446 617-734-1393 www.brooklinecourtyard.com Located 1.5 miles from the Conference Center; Complimentary Shuttle Service to Longwood Medical Area	Holiday Inn 1200 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02446 617-277-1200 www.holidayinn.com Located 1.5 miles from the Conference Center; Complimentary Shuttle Service to Longwood Medical Area
Sheraton Boston Westin Boston & Waterfront W Hotel Boston www.Starwoodhotels.com The Sheraton and Westin are about 10-minute cab ride from the facility and also accessible on the MBTA.	Crosstown Center 811 Massachusetts Ave Boston 617- 445-6400 www.bostonhamptoninn.com Complimentary Shuttle Service to Longwood Medical Area
Boston Back Bay - Fenway 125 Brookline Avenue Boston, MA 02215 617-236-8787 www.residenceinnbackbay.com This is located within walking distance of MCCHMS or a short cab ride.	Hotel Commonwealth 500 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 (617) 933-5000 www.hotelcommonwealth.com This is located within a short cab ride.

Boston

Boston is one of America’s oldest cities. Since 1822, it served as the economic and cultural hub of New England. Over 617,000 residents inhabit this city and millions more visit each year for the chance to immerse themselves in Boston’s rich history and vibrant culture. Home to many world-class educational institutions such as Harvard University, Boston College, Berklee College of Music, and MIT, the Boston area is a mecca for academic excellence. In addition, Boston boasts some of the best inpatient hospitals in the world. Through museums, nightlife, restaurants, and sports teams, Boston offers all the amenities and excitement of a modern metropolitan city, while managing to maintain its welcoming atmosphere and historic roots.

Places to Visit

Newbury Street: Boston’s most captivating street offers eight blocks of world-renowned restaurants, coffee shops, nightlife, and shopping. With a wide variety of destinations that accommodate all ages and price ranges, Newbury Street has something for everyone. Try Stephanie’s on Newbury for a meal with a view, or just take a walk along the street to soak up all its unique charm and ambiance.

Duck Tours: Boston Duck Tours - for our more adventurous conference goers, or for those who just want to experience something a bit more out of the normal day-to-day then we heartily recommend boarding a Boston Duck Tour! Located 12 minutes away by car from the conference, Boston Duck Tours offers conference goers the opportunity to climb aboard a replica World War II amphibious DUKW vehicle for an 80 minute historical tour of Boston that may start on land, but by the end will have you cruising leisurely along the Charles River for an experience you will never forget! Fortunately ANY conference goer who would love to experience this iconic tour is capable of doing so. Should they be interested, when tickets for September go on sale in August online at https://tickets.bostonducktours.com/SelectDate.aspx?TrackingType=Customer&ActivityID=55 conference goers should buy their tickets online, and type "FFoods18" under promotional codes at checkout. If typed correctly then 5 dollars will be taken off as a token of our gratitude for attending the conference. If however tickets online sell out then you can still buy tickets for the Boston Duck Tours outside the Prudential Center in front of Star Market, located at 53 Huntington Ave starting at 8:30 AM the day of. Please note however that the discount is ONLY available through online purchases so buying them online is STRONGLY advised.

Contact Information:  53 Huntington, Boston, MA;  Phone:  617-267-3825, web:  https://tickets.bostonducktours.com

Freedom Trail: For a one-of-a-kind history lesson, follow the freedom trail to see 16 different historical sites. This 4 km walking trail includes museums, meetinghouses, and churches. Visitors can take a self-guided tour, or opt for a guided one depending on personal preference and time restraints.

Faneuil Hall: Located in the heart of downtown Boston, you can experience the marketplace that has been hosting shoppers since 1742. This eclectic urban marketplace lets you dine, shop, and even enjoy some of Boston’s best street performers all at once. Additionally, its location right across from the New England Aquarium allows you to see two prominent Boston attractions in one afternoon.

Museums: With its vast historic and academic roots, it is no wonder Boston holds a wide array of museums. The Boston Museum of Science features permanent and rotating exhibits exploring topics such as Cosmic Light and Nanotechnology. They also offer planetarium and IMAX shows. For those who prefer art, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts has collections ranging from ancient Egypt to modern American, as well as everything in between. If neither of those options interests you, there are a multitude of other museums including the Boston Fire Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum and the USS Constitution Museum.

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum:  For the conference goer who possess a desire to learn more about the life and times of one of this country’s more fascinating Presidents as well as those who were closest to him then the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is the place for you! Located 24 minutes from the conference by car, this riveting tribute to a truly one-of-a-kind President has everything one could hope for from a 20-minute documentary covering JFK's early years all the way to exhibits covering everything from his nomination for the office of President, his actual presidency, his part in helping America win the race to space against the Russians, his tragic and untimely assassination in Dallas, TX and the legacy he ultimately left behind. So if you are the kind of conference goer who would love a chance to visit a place that celebrates not only the life, but the achievements of our 35th President then this is the place for you! Best news of all however: ANY conference goer who would be interested in visiting will have 2 dollars taken off your final price of admission. Just go and show them your badge and the discount will be applied right away. Don’t miss it! 

Contact Information: 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121, phone: 617-635-4505, website:  https://www.boston.gov/parks/franklin-park

Franklin Park: Should you find yourself wanting to catch a break from the engaging lectures and presentations at the conference then attendees are welcome to go and visit Franklin Park. A wonderful yet tranquil area that offers a tremendous view of the city as well as other attractions including a zoo, public golf course, and the renowned Arnold Arboretum all within walking distance, the Franklin Park is located just 17 minutes away from the conference by car, and offers all conference goers that rare place that is not only easy to get to, but that is also where one can truly just go for a walk and clear their head after a long day. 

Contact Information: Columbia Point, Boston, MA 02125, Phone: 617-514-1600; https://www.jfklibrary.org/

Transportation

MBTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is an extremely popular form of transportation within the city of Boston. This system includes the subway, train, and bus lines. There are a number of passes that can be purchased for those who are only staying temporarily such as the 7-day Link Pass, which costs just $19 USD and includes unlimited traveling within the week.

Car Rentals

Cars can be rented near the airport from different companies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and Hertz. Some of these companies also offer a pick-up service where they come pick you up and take you to the renting location to get your rental car. There are also other website such as Expedia, Kayak, and Vroom that offer cheaper options from the same companies, so be sure to visit those if you choose to rent a car!

Rental Car Company	Telephone Number
Alamo Car Rental	(888) 826-6893
Avis Car Rental	(617) 568-6602
Budget Rental Car	(617) 568-6601
Dollar Rent A Car	(866) 434-2226
Enterprise Rent A Car	(617) 561-4488
Hertz Car Rental	(617) 568-5200

Touring/Networking

Following the first day of the conference on the evening of September 20, 2019, we would like to invite all attendees and speakers to come enjoy an enjoyable networking opportunity with us! The event will take place at JM Conference Center at Harvard Medical School from 5:30-7:30 p.m. 

*Disclaimer: Functional Food Center, Inc, is not affiliated with Harvard Medical School, nor is Functional Food Center, Inc, a Harvard Medical School program or activity.

For more information about the conference, please contact us by e-mail at ffc@functionalfoodscenter.net. For international calls, please use: 469-441-8272, Toll free: 1-866-202-0487