Check out this food system news from around our region:
The Story Walking Radio Hour with Wendy Fachon
Building Local Food Systems Through Community
The majority of produce sold in New England supermarkets is shipped all the way from California, which requires a lot of fossil fuel for transport. This episode will investigate the many ways in which local food systems support sustainability and preserve the environment. The show will begin with a walk through New England’s largest farmers market…
Our featured guests are two farm-to-table professionals, who share their stories, experience, knowledge and resources with regards to the local food sector:
Leigh Vincola is the Farmers Market Program Manager for Farm Fresh Rhode Island. She has been working toward food system sustainability in New England for a couple of decades. Over the years she has come at this work from a variety of angles, including as an urban gardener, writer, marketing and PR specialist, event planner, and more recently, restaurant owner.Our second guest, Susan Murray, founded Flying Carrot Farm with her partner Tony Wood in Dartmouth, MA. One goal of the farm is to build community around local food through their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. Working with local community partners, Susan also brings subsidized farm shares into low-income areas of New Bedford. Susan is also the New Bedford Farmers Market Manager, working with Coastal Foodshed to make locally-grown food available to all.
Learn More & Listen to the Podcast
FSMA Produce Safety Rule/RI GAP Training
For Produce Growers, Regulators and Produce Wholesalers/Distributors
This registered two-day training on January 29 and 30 is approved and compliant with the requirements of the FSMA/Produce Safety Regulation. The training will also allow farmers to become part of the voluntary RI Good Agricultural Program (RI GAP). In combining the training, RI farmers will have the option to obtain the PSA/AFDO certificate that will prove you have taken the “approved” course per the rule.
2020 New England Campus Farmer Summit
February 22, 2020, 8:30am – 5:00pm | Stonehill College, Easton, MA
Campus farmers, students, and representatives from non-profits and agencies connect in person about what makes campus farms successful. This forum provides an opportunity for stakeholders working at the intersection of food justice, environmental sustainability, food access, and healthy eating to discuss challenges and opportunities. Partners from the nonprofit sector join us in conversation about what colleges and universities can do to forge deeper community alliances and strengthen our regional food system.
2020 Local Food and Specialty Crop Trade Show
March 4 | Northeastern University
The Local Food and Specialty Crop Trade Show is an opportunity for food buyers to connect with farmers and food producers from throughout New England that sell at the wholesale level, and other food businesses from throughout the region. Admission is open to wholesale buyers who are interested in purchasing Massachusetts- or New England-produced food items. These buyers can be restaurants, small retail stores, supermarkets, co-ops, hotels, institutions, schools, food processors in search of ingredients, distributors, or anyone else interested in local purchasing options. Admission for food buyers to the 2020 Trade Show is $20 for SBN members and $30 for non-members.
