Angelyn Wang, local foods associate, angelynw@cfra.org, 402.870.1721; Teresa Hoffman, senior communications associate, 402.687.2100, ext. 1012, teresah@cfra.org
AVOCA, IOWA – Southwest Iowans eager to explore local foods are invited to attend a one-day summit including educational sessions from regional speakers, featured businesses along Avoca’s Main Street, locally-sourced food, and networking time. This free event is hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs and Golden Hills RC&D.
“Southwest Iowa Local Foods Summit” is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at various businesses in Avoca, with registration at Avoca Veterans Community Center, 112 N. Elm St. The summit includes real-time interpretation from English to Spanish.
“This event is for local food producers, food service directors, teachers, local food advocates, community members, and anyone engaging in the local foods sector,” said Angelyn Wang, local food associate with the Center. “We will also have an indoor market where people can shop from local farmers.”
Topics covered during the summit include farm to school, grants and funds available for local foods and farmers, rural grocery store initiatives, farm stories, and more.
Featured speakers include Denise O’Brien from Rolling Acres Farm, Sarah Tanis and Apple Amos of FoodCorps Iowa, Jazzmine Brooks of Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, Natasha Hegmann of Practical Farmers of Iowa, and more.
Breakfast and lunch will be catered by Milk & Honey of Harlan, Iowa.
Registration is required by Nov. 8; contact Wang at angelynw@cfra.org or 402.870.1721. More information can be found at cfra.org/LocalFoodsSummit2023.
Travel stipends are available to farmers from the Iowa counties of Monona, Crawford, Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Carroll, Audubon, and Page.
