The Brooklyn Food Coalition is holding a free conference May 2 to help build grassroots support for legislative and other initiatives aimed at a sustainable, healthy and delicious food system.

DATE: Saturday, May 2, 2009

WHERE: P.S. 321 and at John Jay High School, 7th Avenue in Park Slope

PRICE: Conference is FREE and open to all

Click here for registration and more information.

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?

Food activists, local farmers, health advocates, academics, union leaders and restaurateurs will gather this day with concerned citizens to discuss the changes and challenges in our global food economy and how it impacts our communities. Workshops and speeches will provide education and networking opportunities for individuals to get involved for improving our diet, health and environment.

WHO’S SPEAKING?

Keynote speakers include:

• Dan Barber, executive chef and owner of Blue Hill Restaurant, and a leader of fair trade development and healthy food;
• Anna Lappé, co-founder of the Small Planet Institute and the author of Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen;
• Raj Patel of the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System;
• LaDonna Redmond, head of the Institute of Community Resource Development in Chicago.

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WHAT’S THE POINT?

The Brooklyn Food Conference aims to increase awareness and education around food issues and establish a Brooklyn Food Coalition that will develop a Legislative Food Agenda. A town hall event will give participants the opportunity to testify in front of the elected officials expected to attend.

WHO’S BEHIND THIS?

A team of over 300 volunteers has been planning the conference for 7 months, and 2,000 participants are expected to attend. More than 75 organizations, including non-profit and community organizations, schools, elected officials and local businesses are partners in this effort. There will also be a program of workshops and activities for children.

Co-Sponsors for the conference include:

• The Park Slope Food Coop;
• Caribbean Women’s Health Association;
• World Hunger Year; Brooklyn Rescue Mission; and
• Brooklyn’s Bounty.

The conference is generously hosted by the administrators, teachers and parents of John Jay High School and P.S. 321.

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