Peas
The Value of Local
The 3rd Annual RI Local Food Forum will gather farmers, chefs, schools food services, restaurateurs and institutions to network. Share best practices for local sourcing and ways to develop our local food system.  Learn how to build your menus around the added value of fresh foods from Rhode Island. Discuss the social, environmental and economic benefits of supporting local family farmers through direct food purchasing.
RSVP Requested
The Local Food Forum is free and open to the public. We encourage you to register online by Sunday, February 11 so that we can plan appropriately. Your registration will also get you on the RI farmer-buyer contact list distributed at the Forum.
2006 crowd
Getting Here
All events will be in the Andrews Dining Hall on Brown University’s Pembroke campus in Providence. The campus is accessible by car, RIPTA / Greyhound / Bonanza bus, and Amtrak / MBTA train: directions and campus map. Free time-unlimited street parking is available a few blocks north, and Brown also offers an on-campus pay parking lot.
Presented by
Local Food Forum - February 13, 2007

The yearly networking event for Rhode Island food producers and buyers.

Register online by February 11. The RI Local Food Forum is free.
If you get a lot out of the Local Food Forum, consider a donation to support future Farm Fresh RI programs.

8 Check-in, Coffee, Tea and Pastries

8:30 Introduction and Welcome

  • Ken Ayars, Chief of RI DEM Division of Agriculture
  • Noah Fulmer, Executive Director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island

9:15 Keynote: Local Food Creates a Great Place to Live, to Work, to Eat

  • Saul Kaplan, Executive Director of RIEDC

How locally grown enhances community economic development, quality of life, and adds to Rhode Island's appeal.

9:45 Panel: Farmers and Chefs Co-Produce Value

  • Will Sheridan, East West Farm, Charlestown
  • Terrence Maul, Up River Café, Westerly
  • Catherine Mardosa and Matt Tracy, Red Planet Vegetables, Providence, and the Little City Growers Coop
  • John Sousa, Buntz Garlic Farm, Canterbury
  • Moderated by Peter Rossi and Steve Henderson, Brown Dining

Hear from the experts. Local purchasing best practices from both farmer and buyer perspectives. New ideas and directions.

11 Announcement: RI Fresh Network

11:15 Roundtables: The Art of Selling & Sourcing Locally

Workshop for Farmers, Chefs, Restaurateurs, Food Service Directors. Small groups discuss the best practices, as well as communication, logistical, seasonal and more subtle needs. How to finesse and expand your farmer-buyer relationships.

12 Networking and Lunch

Grab a bite and track down the people you circled on your list.

1:30 Coastal Wine Tasting

Continue the conversation over somes reds and whites from the local vineyards of the Coastal Wine Trail of Southeastern New England. Add a local wine to your menu.
Local Food Forum

Information about the Local Food Forum in 2006 and 2005 is still available if you're curious.