PVGrows Spring Forum: Local Food for Schools, Hospitals, & Other Institutions

How can we advance farm-to-institution connections in the Pioneer Valley?

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

Our first plenary speaker is 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 will give 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.”  More speakers to be announced soon!

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

Interactive sessions are designed to connect you to people and organizations with farm-to-institution challenges and solutions similar to your own.

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

Read more about the PVGrows Forum.

• This event is open to anyone working for a healthy food system in the Pioneer Valley.
• Space is limited to 120.
• The Forum is free. ($10 lunch food donation suggested).
• Wed, May 22, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
• 10th Floor of the UMass Hotel & Conference Center, Amherst

Click here to register.