Dec

Spring Forum Video Clips- Local Food for Schools, Hospitals, & Other Institutions

The PVGrows Spring Forum was held May 22, 2013 at UMass Amherst. Thanks to UMass Dining Services for being our Lead Sponsor.

Local Food for Schools, Hospitals, & Other Institutions

How can we advance Farm to Institution connections in the Pioneer Valley?

Thanks to Jessica Tanner and Northampton Community TV for this great video.

You can view video of the past 4 PVGrows Forums on our PVGrows YouTube Channel.
And photos of the Forums are posted on our Facebook photo page.

In a healthy food system, nutritious locally grown foods are being served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and other institutions. Participants in the PVGrows Spring Forum learned how these partnerships are being built, and what we can do to support their growth.

Our first plenary speaker was Kelly Erwin, Founder and Director of the MA Farm to School Project, on the important role of farm-to-institution connections in building a healthy food system. Kelly gave a primer on the many forms these partnerships can take— ranging from a farmer selling direct to an institution to other models with multiple “middlemen.” See the full list of Forum presenters.

We were hosted by UMass Dining Services, which sources an impressive 28% of its produce locally. We heard about their relationships with farmers, distributors, and students, and then we enjoyed one of their locally-grown lunches.

Interactive sessions were designed to connect participants to people and organizations with Farm to Institution challenges and solutions similar to their own.

And as usual, the Forum included structured networking, opportunities for collaboration, and a locally grown lunch!

Spring Forum Agenda & Presenters