Food Forum

On Friday, October 12th we are gathering farmers, local Farm to School leaders, and Nutrition Service professionals to share best practices, challenges, and innovations in Farm to School programs in Twin Cities K-12 schools. This invitation-only event is the culmination of our USDA Farm to School grant which enabled our work with four focus districts: Fridley, Robbinsdale, Roseville, and Eden Prairie Public Schools. Guests are in for a half-day of panels and facilitated discussions, they’ll enjoy a local lunch, and will get the chance to network with other attendees and talk to local legislators about the importance of advancing farm to school policy in our state. There will also be a discussion on how you can rally your community around Farm to School through Op-Eds in the local newspaper.

If you’re interested in attending, reach out to our Programs Manager, Natalie Vandenburgh at [email protected].

Agenda

8-8:15am
Welcome and Introductions 
Emily Paul of The Good Acre

8:15-8:45am
Opportunities and Challenges
Why Make Farm to School Work?
Angie Richie of Roseville Area Schools and Becca Carlson of Seeds Farm

8:45-9:45am
Nuts and Bolts of Farm to School
Procurement, Production, Labor, Budgeting
speakers TBD

9:45-10:15am
Break
Meet and greet with Minnesota’s USDA Farm to School Grantees

10:15-11:15am
Change Beyond the Lunch Line
Farm to School Communications, Policy, and Advocacy
Stephanie Heim of UMN Extensions and Erin McKee of IATP

11:15-11:45am
Break

11:45-12:45pm
New Frontiers in Farm to School
Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) and Business to School (B2S)
Jenny Breen of the UMN Center for Spirituality and Healing and School Food Expert, Jean Ronnei

12:45-2pm
Local Foods Lunch and Wrap-Up
Emily Paul of The Good Acre

Please check back soon for additional speaker announcements.