Local Food Network Gathering

Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Greenstar and CCE-Tompkins invite you to join the conversation with grassroots innovators from Tompkins County’s vibrant local food scene who ~ alongside many others ~ work to improve access to healthy food for all, open opportunities for farm and food businesses, create more food gardens, support the local food initiatives, bring vital resources and MORE!! Come hear their stories, share, connect, get involved!

PROGRAM

5:00pm -- Doors Open
5:30pm -- Welcome – Holly Payne, Greenstar Community Projects

Featured Food Entrepreneur

Also starting at 5:30pm, enjoy a delicious Caribbean buffet meal prepared by Chef Startina Bentley, served on plates from the Dish Truck. FREE! but please R.S.V.P. HERE so the chef can plan the meal!

Learn about CCE Food Entrepreneurship program – Ezra Thomas, Coordinator; Startina Bentley, Chef.

Featured Food Stories

Moderated by Monika Roth, CCE-Tompkins

Youth Farm – inspiring youth to grow food and become food citizens – Rafael Aponte, Director
Farm to Table School Ithaca District Grant – Laurie Pattington, Teacher and program coordinator
YMCA improving Health through Nutritious Snacks, Exercise and Gardening – Frank Towner, Director
Dryden Family Meal Connection – providing food to Dryden families and children to meet summer food needs – a volunteer initiative started by teachers and social workers – AnnMarie Streeter and Mary Hicks, coordinators
Helping the Immigrant Community navigate our food supply and food customs while preserving their own traditions – Emily Morgan, Nutritional Sciences, Cornell – Ithaca Welcomes Refugees Project
Seed to Supper Volunteer Garden Educators – share your passion and knowledge as a trained volunteer, teaching others to garden – Chrys Gardener, CCE Community Horticulture
Building farm and community connections - Erica Frenay, Shelterbelt Farm, Caroline
Affordable Local Meats – learn about the meat locker & meat suite – Matt LeRoux, CCE Ag & Markets
Hunting as a Sustainable Local Food Source – Cosmo Genova, Community Educator/Organizer with Get Your Green Back
Greenstar Co-op Expansion Plans– learn about what is ahead! – Brandon Kane, Manager; Patrice Lockert Anthony, Council President