Attend the fourth annual Local and Regional Food Summit and learn from leaders in the local and regional food industry on all the different projects taking shape. Speakers will include those from the retail grocery, foodservice distribution, university foodservice, food hub, specialty crops, meat processing, dairy, value-added products, community supported agriculture organization and more!
The event will be held at Heartland Community College, Astroth Community Education Center, 1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL. from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Nov. 13, 2014. This one-day event is hosted by the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Agriculture and Heartland Community College.
Conference registration fee is $20 per participant and includes all conference materials, lunch, and breaks. A buffet lunch will feature several local and regional foods prepared by Chef Scott Rowan and provided by Heartland Community College. Due to limited seating, registration must be completed by November 6, 2014. Registration is first come, first served. There is NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION. Register here:http://www.ilfb.org/ifb-news-and-events/conferences-events/2014-local-and-regional-food-summit.aspx
A special Meet the Farmer/Meet the Buyer function will take place in the afternoon. There will be several buyers attending and some of them include Mariano’s, U.S. Foods, Local Foods, Inc., Schnucks, County Market, Testa Produce, Standard Market, CH Robinson, Medici’s Restaurant, Whole Foods, and more. Buyers will be looking for all types of products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, value-added products, nuts, and more.
Planned Speakers
WELCOME
Mary Beth Trakinat, Vice President of Advancement, Heartland Community College
LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD OVERVIEW
Cynthia Haskins, Manager of Business Development and Compliance, Illinois Farm Bureau
ILLINOIS PRODUCTS
Kendra Schilling, Local Food Liaison, Illinois Department of Agriculture
HOW TO MARKET YOUR FAMILY’S SECRET RECIPE AT FARMERS’ MARKETS, GROCERY STORES, AND RESTAURANTS
Zina Murray, Owner, Logan Square Kitchen
OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION PROGRAM
Dr. George Czapar, Associate Dean and Director of University of Illinois Extension and Outreach, Ron Duncan, Extension Educator, Community and Economic Development and Bill Davison, Extension Educator, Small Farms and Local Food Systems
THE DEMAND FOR LOCAL FOOD AT GROCERY STORES
Steve Jarzombek, Vice President of Produce at Roundy’s (Corporate Headquarters for Mariano’s)
GETTING STARTED SELLING FRESH PRODUCE TO FOODSERVICE DISTRIBUTORS
Joan Daleo, President, Ole Tyme Produce, Inc.
WHAT DOES A MICRO-FOOD HUB PROJECT AND SERVING FRESH SWEET CORN IN SCHOOL HAVE IN COMMON?
Brad Uken, Manager, Champaign County Farm Bureau, Champaign, IL., and Roman Fox, Agriculture Teacher, Rantoul Public Schools
LOCAL FARMER APPEARS ON ABC TELEVISION NETWORK’S SHARK TANK
Dave Alwan, Owner, Echo Valley Meats
HOMEGROWN BY HEROES™
Michael O’Gorman, Executive Director, Farmers’ Veteran Coalition
Ben Shaffar, Director of Business Development, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
FORMING A LOCAL FOOD HUB DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS
Evan Smith, Chief of Operations, Cherry Capital Foods
WHOLESALE SUCCESS: GROW YOUR SKILLS, GROW YOUR CONNECTIONS, GROW YOUR BUSINESS!
Jim Slama, Founder and President, Familyfarmed.org
HOW DO RESTAURANTS AND INSTITUTIONS RECEIVE THEIR FRESH AND FROZEN PRODUCTS?
Paula J. Bruck, Director National Accounts, Healthcare & Education, U.S. Foods, Streator, IL
OPENING UP THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN FARMERS AND BUYERS
Dianne Feasley, Registered Dietitian, Associate Director, and Matt Horton, Executive Chef of Campus Dining, Illinois State University
MEAT LABELING AND RAW MILK UPDATE
Jim Fraley, Livestock Program Director, Illinois Farm Bureau, Bloomington, IL
ASSESSING BARRIERS TO COOPERATIVE FORMATION AND OVERALL SUCCESS IN COMMUNITY AGRICULTURE ENTERPRISES
Christopher D. Merrett, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs, Western Illinois University
MEET THE FARMERS, MEET THE BUYERS NETWORKING EVENT (3:15-5:00 PM) (farmers and buyers only)
NETWORKING AND WINE TASTING
Presented by the The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association