There are thirty-five speakers coming to share their knowledge and passion for local food at the 2019 Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference, November 13-14 in Cornwall.
And I dearly wish that I could tell you about each and every one of them. Because they are incredible. Unfortunately, this blog is not a novel, and I can’t possibly do them justice here. So, I have the horrible task of choosing just a few to tell you about. Here it goes…
Our keynote speaker, Tareq Hadhad, creates an impact everywhere he goes. His moving message of inclusion, rural opportunity, and peace, resonates across sectors and communities. Having arrived as refugees from Syria in Antigonish, Nova Scotia in 2016, the Hadhads rebuilt the family business: Peace by Chocolate. This inspiring address, on the conference theme “Growing Communities Together” will have an impact on you long after you leave the conference room.
Ever noticed that there are some gaps in the funding landscape for local food and farming? So have the good people at the Fair Finance Fund. Sally Miller will be with us to talk about this new financing program that’s available to initiatives that are working to build a strong local food system. Not a local food business, but love local food? Great! You have the option to invest! Learn more with Sally in the “Funding and Financing for Local Food Projects” session.
As a farmer or a food business, do you sometimes wonder what options you have for market channels? Good news! Those markets are trying to find you as well. We’ve packed our agenda with speakers who want to know more about your products.
- Sheri Evans from Sobey’s will be talking about their “Look for Local” program. Jana Vodicka from Chartwell’s will be talking about brand-new tools to help institutions buy local.
- Cardinal Meats is a local distributor looking to build a line of unique local products. Jessie Cardinal will be there to tell us all about it.
- The Ottawa Food Hub launched this fall and they are ready to aggregate and distribute your products to urban markets. Phil Mount of Just Food will give you the scoop on that.
- And what about municipalities? Dan Munshaw, Manager of Supply Management, City of Thunder Bay, will describe that city’s innovative forward contracting with local farmers, creating a secure market and a great supply of local food.
I’ve only scratched the surface, but my time is up. To explore these and other fantastic speakers, please visit www.eastontlocalfood.com.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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