Kentucky Proud Connection

 

 

Summit participants will consider building and growing local food systems in Kentucky

 

Kentucky proud connection staff report

 

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Growers, educators, leaders and others will discuss ways to build and expand local food systems in a summit April 21 in Lexington.

The Bluegrass Local Food Summit: Eating From Our Own Soil is scheduled for 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Crestwood Christian Church.

“Local food systems enable producers to capture more of the food dollar and offer consumers access to fresher, more nutritious foods,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “Kentucky Proud is an important part of any local food system in Kentucky. The Kentucky Proud marketing staff is working every day to open new markets for Kentucky farmers and create partnerships that will make more local foods available to Kentucky consumers.”

Mac Stone, executive director of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of Agricultural Marketing and Product Promotion, will be one of three speakers on local food systems in higher education and state government.

Kentucky first lady Jane Beshear will be the keynote speaker during lunch starting at noon.

Morning sessions will focus on current efforts to create local food systems and how government leaders, educational institutions, and community groups can expand them. Afternoon working groups will consider the role of the faith community in a local food system, meeting growing demand from wholesale buyers for local food, growing urban agriculture, creating a local food policy council, and building regional partnerships in Appalachia.

A wine and food tasting will follow the summit from 5-7 p.m. at the Kentucky Proud Market in The Lexington Center.

Kentucky Proud is the state’s official farm marketing program. Kentucky Proud generated more than $200 million in retail sales of Kentucky products just through member retailers in 2010. A 2008 University of Kentucky study found that every dollar invested in Kentucky Proud returned up to $4.70 in new farm income. More than 2,500 farmers, processors, retailers, restaurants, school systems, farmers’ markets, Kentucky state parks and Kentucky Farm Bureau roadside markets are members of Kentucky Proud.

For more information on the Bluegrass Local Food Summit, go to http://sustainlex.org, email sustainlex@gmail.com, or call (859) 379-9046.