Past Events

What can foodservice directors and purchasing managers do to reduce PFAS (aka “forever chemicals”) from their kitchens and dining rooms? Hear about recent efforts at Smith College to use PFAS-free takeaway containers, with Andy Cox, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services. Then dive deeper into foodware chemicals with Sue Chiang, Food Program Director at Center for Environmental Health, who will share about GreenScreen Certified™ products and other resources to help foodservice operators make the best choices. Bring your questions! You’ll leave this webinar with ideas to implement changes in your cafeteria or dining hall.

In preparation for Farm to School Month in October, learn how to effectively reach out and connect with your school community to strengthen bonds between farms, students, and families and to celebrate the farm to school movement in Massachusetts.

This dynamic 60-minute public webinar from the National Farm to School Network will discuss the intersection of the USDA Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS) and State-Level Local Food Purchasing Incentives (LFPIs). This webinar will be divided into three sections, each featuring panelists representing states across the nation.

Join FINE researcher Hannah Leighton, New England Farm to Early Childhood Project lead Dana Stevens, and project community of practice members for this free webinar. Presenters will give an overview of the New England Farm to Early Childhood Project, take a deeper dive into the recommendations and opportunities identified in a recently published ecosystem assessment, and lead a group strategizing session about how to move this work forward in New England. View the recently released “Farm to Early Childhood in New England: an Ecosystem Assessment.

Join Local Food Marketplace to discuss the role of farm to school sales in the local food landscape. We'll discuss why farmers and food producers should sell to schools, how to land your first school sale, and strategies for recurring sales. We'll be joined Michelle Perkins from Kitchen Sync Strategies, an expert in local food sales. We'll also speak with Becca Perrin of Green Mountain Farm to School—an organization brining local foods to school districts in Northern Vermont. Since 2009, Local Food Marketplace has offered comprehensive sales and distribution software for farms, food hubs & markets. 

What would it take for 30% of the food consumed in New England to be regionally produced by 2030? The NH Food Alliance network addresses this question during their 2023-2024 Network Café Series through A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience, a report of foundational food system data from the New England State Food System Planners Partnership. During each Network Café, join one of the report's lead researchers to dig into the data and answer questions.

Sept 8, 2023: A Regional Approach to Food System Resilience 
Oct 6, 2023: Estimating Resilient Eating Patterns
Nov 3, 2023: Estimating Production for Regional Self Reliance
Dec 1: Economic Impact of New England’s Food System
Jan 5, 2024: Understanding Market Channels and Food Expenditures
Feb 2, 2024: Looking to our Neighbors: State Plans as Models for New Hampshire 
March 1, 2024: What's Next for New Hampshire? Looking forward as a network, part 1 of 2
April 5, 2024: What's Next for New Hampshire? Looking forward as a network, part 2 of 2

Join this two-part webinar series that explores ten different local food purchasing incentives across the nation. In recent years, there has been significant growth in support for local food purchasing incentives (LFPIs). More than a dozen states have established programs that provide direct reimbursement to child nutrition programs in schools and early care and education (ECE) settings to offset the costs of buying local foods. Additional states are in the process of introducing LFPI bills and advocating for broader adoption of these programs. Speakers will share their experiences with their respective established programs, pilot initiatives, or introduced LFPI bills. These webinars aim to provide insights into each program's history, design, impact, and more. The first in the series is on August 9, focusing on CA, CT, ME, NH, and NY.

Join this two-part webinar series that explores ten different local food purchasing incentives across the nation. In recent years, there has been significant growth in support for local food purchasing incentives (LFPIs). More than a dozen states have established programs that provide direct reimbursement to child nutrition programs in schools and early care and education (ECE) settings to offset the costs of buying local foods. Additional states are in the process of introducing LFPI bills and advocating for broader adoption of these programs. Speakers will share their experiences with their respective established programs, pilot initiatives, or introduced LFPI bills. These webinars aim to provide insights into each program's history, design, impact, and more. The second in the series is on August 14, focusing on CO, YT, MI, VT, and PA.

The NOFA Summer Conference is the annual summer gathering of the Northeast Organic Farming Association

NOFA is a non-profit organization of over 5,000 small-scale farmers, gardeners, consumers and food system reformers. We promote healthy food, organic regenerative farming practices, and climate disruption solutions through soil management strategies

The 49th annual NOFA Summer Conference begins online
Monday, July 24 - Thursday July 27, with evening speakers and workshops.

On Friday July 28 and Saturday July 29, gather in person and online
at Worcester State University, Worcester, MA for knowledge sharing and celebration through: 

• Workshops and discussions (including in Spanish)
• Racial equity caucus groups
• Children’s programming
• Local food & drinks
• A fair!

Sliding scale tickets available.

The NOFA Summer Conference is the annual summer gathering of the Northeast Organic Farming Association

NOFA is a non-profit organization of over 5,000 small-scale farmers, gardeners, consumers and food system reformers. We promote healthy food, organic regenerative farming practices, and climate disruption solutions through soil management strategies

The 49th annual NOFA Summer Conference begins online
Monday, July 24 - Thursday July 27, with evening speakers and workshops.

On Friday July 28 and Saturday July 29, gather in person and online
at Worcester State University, Worcester, MA for knowledge sharing and celebration through: 

• Workshops and discussions (including in Spanish)
• Racial equity caucus groups
• Children’s programming
• Local food & drinks
• A fair!

Sliding scale tickets available.

Join the National Farm to School Network to stay updated on universal meals policies in the US and gain insights from advocates in California, Colorado, Maine, and Vermont. As part of the Who's At the Table? School Meals Campaign, NFSN has been highlighting states that have successfully adopted universal meals. One important finding from this project emphasizes the interdependence between farm to school initiatives, values-based purchasing, and successful universal meals campaigns. In this webinar, we will analyze the similarities and differences in advocacy, policy design, and implementation approaches among states. After a brief presentation, a panel of coalition members who contributed to the case studies will share their own advocacy experiences, valuable lessons learned, and potential for replication. 

*La traducción en español estará disponible​​. 
*Interpretation in Spanish will be available. 

This event is exclusively for Higher Education sustainability professionals, ensuring a smaller and more focused community of like-minded individuals. The conference will include a relaxed environment to network with your peers, and will also offer pre- and post-conference activities. We hope that this conference will enable us to reinvigorate our drive as sustainability professionals, share strategies for robust student engagement, and stay informed on topics such as campus electrification, offshore wind developments in New England, IRA opportunities, and career development as a sustainability professional.

Food Funded East is an entrepreneur & investor gathering to catalyze the flow of capital to BIPOC food & farm businesses. After having become a popular community anchor event in the Bay Area, FOOD FUNDED is now ready for its East Coast debut. Set to become a regular series in which food entrepreneurs and investors come together to build connections and catalyze the flow of funding in our food system, through educational workshops and live investment presentations. Apply to present at https://foodfunded.us/apply.

This workshop from the Food Ed Hub at Tisch Food Center series explores authentic, intentional, and pedagogical methods for bringing indigeneity into the classroom. June 15, June 22, and June 30: register for all 3, but each can be joined as a standalone.

What does it take to build a food hub network? Dive into this emerging model for local food with Farm Fare and Local Food Marketplace. Hear about lessons learned from Puget Sound Food Hub and Mission West Community Development Partners--two partners of the NWFHN. In this webinar you'll gain insights into the steps toward growing your own food hub network.

Maine Nutrition Council and Falmouth School District are partnering for the 2023 Maine Nutrition Council Annual Conference. Join us for this hands-on educational event which includes themes of holistic and herbal medicine, sustainable agriculture, homesteading, benefits of eating locally and in-season, and farm to institution. This event awards 6 CPE/CEU credits and contact hours. Register by June 9, 2023.

This workshop from the Food Ed Hub at Tisch Food Center series explores authentic, intentional, and pedagogical methods for bringing indigeneity into the classroom. June 15, June 22, and June 30: register for all 3, but each can be joined as a standalone. 

Are you working to support meat supply chains in your region? Interested in learning from other efforts happening across the U.S.? Join this webinar to learn about the recently formed National Meat Summits Steering Committee, which works to build connections, increase knowledge, grow collective skills and advance market opportunities for local and regional meat supply chains. The webinar will also provide lessons learned from the 2023 Mountain Meat Summit and International Livestock Forum and information about the upcoming regional meat summits (Carolinas and Mountain) and future opportunities for collaboration.

This workshop from the Food Ed Hub at Tisch Food Center series explores authentic, intentional, and pedagogical methods for bringing indigeneity into the classroom. June 15, June 22, and June 30: register for all 3, but each can be joined as a standalone. 

The National Farm to School Network is excited to partner with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to convene the Racial Equity Learning Lab (the “Lab”). The Lab will be a collaborative space, designed for small groups to foster an intensive learning and co-creation experience. Cohort members will be immersed in a racial equity-based curriculum, called the “Lab Roadmap.” This will be the first of three webinars.

Hosted annually by UMass Dining, the Chef Culinary Conference delivers industry-expert talks, culinary demonstrations, live workshops, and exclusive brand sneak peeks. Join June 11-16 as leaders discuss food through nutrition and sustainability while creating the future of culinary. This year is a continued focus on plant-forward cuisine and shaping the campus dining segment with healthy food and lifestyle options. Inspiration will come from ‘Mediterranean to Okinawa and Beyond,’ full of culturally-driven and globally-inspired recipes and practices.

This course introduces food safety and important considerations when developing a new food product. This virtual, live, and interactive course will address the key attributes of formulating a product from concept to commercialization. You will learn about the food science basics, key elements required for product labeling, and an overview of key regulatory requirements for small and emerging food businesses, such as entrepreneurs and local food processors. After completing the course, you will receive the certificate of completion.  This course consists of 3 parts: (1) one self-paced online course with homework followed by (2) a 4-hour live Zoom session and (3) office hours that dive deeper into relevant topics.

How we talk about food insecurity impacts how people understand its causes an dsolutions. In this workshop, participants will learn which message strategies work to improve the public's understanding of hunger and food insecurity. Participate in person at the NH Hunder Solutions office in Concord, NH, or join virtually via Zoom.

With Dr. Lynn Davey, President of Davey Strategies; and NH Hunger Solutions.

(May 18 Virtual; May 25 In-Person at Winthrop, ME). Forging Connection for Collective Action. In 2023 this collaborative network continues the work of building and supporting a Maine food system that is equitable, just, and regenerative.

This is the 2nd of a two part webinar series focusing on school district-wide school garden programs led by school district staff and the unique opportunities and challenges they face.

This webinar will focus on engaging your school district community, including topics such as setting up peer learning communities for teachers across a district and community partnerships with examples from three districts across the country of different sizes. It will run for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Presenters will include:
-Jennifer Mutch, Science Coordinator at Santa Clara County Office of Education in Santa Clara, CA
-Rebekka Henriksen, Farm to School Projects Manager at Schenectady City School District in Schenectady, NY
-Kaitlyn Scheuerman, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Waukee Community School District in Waukee, IA

This webinar features the topics and participants of the 2022 SGSO Leadership Institute, hosted by Life Lab in partnership with the SGSO Network.

This month, learn about Aboriginal Sovereignty & European colonization in what is now known as the state of Rhode Island: Narragansett Aboriginal history; the impact of colonization on land, food, people, and education; and the necessary change for the survival of the next Seven Generations. Presenter Randy R. Noka is a Member and Tribal Elder of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. Former Narragansett Tribal Council Member and Tribal Ambassador. Former Executive Officer for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), for the United South & Eastern Tribes (USET) and for the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society. Board Member of Native Green. Civil rights and minority advocate.

Part of the 2023 NESAWG Sankofa Series, lifting voices of color, focusing on history and roots, celebrating identities and cultures, and learning from movements of resilience and change. 

Join Mass Farm to School for an in-person event at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. Participants will experience a Boat to Table talk from a local fisherman, have time to explore the interactive exhibits, and enjoy a guided walking tour of the active waterfront. End with lunch on your own at the Whale's Tail (an outdoor clam shack) or The Black Whale (a higher end restaurant) both located on the pier.

Farm to school projects have widely been supported by policymakers with funding provided at state and federal levels. Still, many of the economic outcomes of this inflow of policy and funding remain unclear. In 2018, New York State announced the 30% NY Initiative that substantially increases school lunch reimbursements if school food authorities purchase at least 30% of their lunch ingredients as New York food products. With detailed food purchasing data from Buffalo Public Schools, the second-largest school district in the state, and the largest school food authority to qualify for enhanced reimbursement, we estimate the gross and net economic impacts of the policy through a customized input-output model. Join the webinar to hear results from the study, which was led by Professor Todd Schmit, Cornell Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and supported by Shayna Krasnoff, M.S., ’22, and Cheryl Bilinski, Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest NY.

The team at the Henry P. Kendall Foundation wants to ensure you have your questions answered prior to the upcoming 2023 New England Food Vision Prize deadlines. Join this informative webinar, which will feature an opportunity to ask your questions, learn about criteria and eligibility, and review the application timeline.  This session will be recorded and posted on their 2023 Prize page for those who are unable to attend.  

(May 18 Virtual; May 25 In-Person at Winthrop, ME). Forging Connection for Collective Action. In 2023 this collaborative network continues the work of building and supporting a Maine food system that is equitable, just, and regenerative.

Over the last ten years, community organizers and grassroots organizations have moved $540 million away from bad corporate actors and towards farmers and businesses that value working people, our environment, and animal welfare - while getting quality, nutritious food into schools and other public food programs - where kids and families need it most. The HEAL Food Alliance and Food Chain Workers Alliance are thrilled to share their learnings from this work. 

Invited speakers include 

• Helga Garcia Garza, Executive Director, Agri-Cultura Network
• Axel Fuentes, Executive Director, Rural Community Workers Alliance
• Ribka Getachew, Director of New York Good Food Purchasing Policy Campaign, Community Food Advocates in NYC 
• Winston Moore, Principal Investigator for the report and Good Food Communities Researcher
• Marlie Wilson from the Chicago Food Policy Action Council will moderate the webinar. 

On May 11, 2023, food system professionals from across the Granite State will gather in Plymouth, New Hampshire to build skills, collaborate, learn, and, most importantly, celebrate the amazing work being done in support of our food system. 

We will spend our time together at the historic Barn on the Pemi diving into a variety of food system issues through breakout sessions, networking activities, a locally-sourced lunch, and end-of-gathering celebration.  The NH Food System Statewide Gathering is an annual event hosted by the NH Food Alliance that brings together individuals, businesses, and organizations from across sectors who are dedicated to growing a thriving and fair local food system that works for all in the Granite State: people, businesses, communities, and the environment.

Join Mass Farm to School for a hands on workshop on school garden food safety at Waltham Fields Community Farm. This session will dig into materials that Massachusetts Farm to School and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) created to establish a standard framework and assessment for maintaining food safety in the school garden. Participants will have the opportunity to put these tools into action at the farm’s learning garden and will leave with the confidence to safely serve school garden produce in school meals. [Rain Date: May 11th]

For over thirty years, The Food Project has operated at the intersection of youth development, sustainable agriculture and community-building. Through their Institute training events, they share methods and models, history, and the learning they've done to create nationally recognized youth development and farming programs. The Institute aims to create a tight-knit learning community over the three days. They immerse the group in as many facets of The Food Project as possible, visiting sites in three cities and towns where The Food Project works in both urban and suburban settings, and offering a full day of immersion into the organization’s youth programs. Participants will have the opportunity to meet numerous organization staff members (across all program areas) and youth participants. 

The Boston Hot Sauce Festival is a two-day celebration that features some of the best hot sauces in the Northeast and held at The Garage B of the Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Avenue, Allston, MA at one of the coolest newer venues in Boston. Tickets are $10 each and there are 4 sessions. This spicy celebration will take place in four sessions and features more than two dozen hot sauce purveyors, spicy hot sauce challenges, amazing food, entertainment, and  accompanied by featured cocktails and beer that are perfect complements for one of Boston’s hottest events. 

(Two virtual days April 18 & 19; two in-person days in Providence, RI April 27 & 28). This biennial event strengthens the regional food system by celebrating and supporting the role of institutions as anchors in the region. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders in a collaborative process, the Summit generates ideas and connections that advance the ability of the Northeast to support viable farm, food, and sea businesses and healthy, just communities. 

Did you know that Massachusetts has the most valuable fishing port in the whole country? Do you know what a cod looks like? Dive in (or dip a toe!) for a “Massachusetts Seafood 101” presentation by the Division of Marine Fisheries followed by first-hand experiences from your own local fishermen. This webinar will skim all aspects of Massachusetts' historic seafood system – environment, health, management, practice, etc. – and educational materials will be provided by email afterwards. Presenter: Wendy Mainardi, Seafood Marketing Coordinator, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

"Cook A Fish, Give A Fish" is a series of online cooking class, where you will learn to cook delicious local seafood dishes alongside some of the finest chefs from Rhode Island to Long Island and beyond. In this unique class, fisheries experts from Eating With The Ecosystem and Cornell Cooperative Extension's Marine Program will teach you everything you want to know about the fish, the fishermen and the many benefits of choosing local seafood while expert chefs teach you how to turn fresh fish straight from the sea into fabulous meals you can share with your friends and family! The best part is that 100% of the ticket price goes towards providing local seafood for families in need (25 meals per ticket)!

From Local Food Marketing - Learn more about email campaigns that can help you sell more farm share subscriptions. What you’ll learn:

• Email campaigns for targeting CSA channels.
• Tips for effective email design
• Advice from Rosebird Gardens on their experience using email to sell farm shares.
• Design tips and marketing strategies from Anne Larson of Grapevine Local food Marketing

Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

Dates & Locations

April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

Hosted by Duke University's FoodLab. Opening presentation by Chris Gobler of SOMAS explaining the science and progress so far (similar presentation to Gobler’s annual “State of the Bays” address). Indigenous Presentation by Shinnecock Kelp Farmers explains the 10,000 year local history of using kelp as fertilizer. Patty Gentry of Early Girl Farm speaks about the flavor profile of vegetables grown with kelp added to the soil. Sue Wicks and organizers from Lazy Point Farms present an overview of 6 new kelp farms on the east end and explain plans for expansion. The Montauk Seaweed Supply Company presents explanation of New York State’s first small business to manufacture kelp and seaweed products for the public marketplace, video presentation, free samples for all guests. Edwina von Gal of the Perfect Earth Project presents on the rapidly expanding community of east end horticulturists and landscapers now using locally produced kelp products to complete the full Sea to Soil circle at high profile properties.

Eat & drink amazing culinary creations at many of the best restaurants in New England. Brought to you by the Sugar Kelp Cooperative. So many events, including a "Roots and Shoots Vegan Dinner" (East Lyme, CT), the conference of the Northeast Algal Society (Mystic, CT); kelp cooking classes; and more. Full listings at https://newenglandkelp.com/ 

(Two virtual days April 18 & 19; two in-person days in Providence, RI April 27 & 28). This biennial event strengthens the regional food system by celebrating and supporting the role of institutions as anchors in the region. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders in a collaborative process, the Summit generates ideas and connections that advance the ability of the Northeast to support viable farm, food, and sea businesses and healthy, just communities. 

The University of Maine brings together Maine's food waste stakeholders – residents, farms, non-profits, businesses, feeding partners, community leaders, and government – to build a Maine food system where food is highly valued, put to best use, and never wasted.

Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

Dates & Locations

April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

Dates & Locations

April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

Join the FIELD Network (organized by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project) and Fairshare CSA Coalition on Friday, April 7th at 1pm EST to connect with staff of land-based farm incubator and apprenticeship training programs!  Share challenges faced by land-based training programs supporting a diversity of beginning farmers and brainstorm ideas, solutions, and shared resources.  Network in breakout groups to mix and mingle with other incubator farm program staff and apprenticeship staff across the country to do some networking, connecting, and sharing of project updates! 

Part of the 2022-23 NH Food Alliance Network Café Series.

Would you like to lead more Farm to School activities in your school environment but have no access to a kitchen? This workshop will explore how to create a "kitchen tool lending library" program for classes, clubs, and enrichment programs to share across a school community. Kitchen lending libraries allow educators to integrate more cooking and gardening experiences across the school. In this workshop, you will see an example of how a kitchen is set up and used in a classroom cooking lab, suggestions for equipment, and the classroom set up and routines surrounding a cooking lab. With Presenters: Anna Cynar, Innovation Academy Charter School

Part of the NH Farm to School Network's 2023 Webinar Series

Join Massachusetts Farm to School in various locations around MA for a meet up in a school garden. Participants will have an opportunity to learn about how school gardens can be used to engage students, increase community interest and investment.

Dates & Locations

April 4, 10:00AM | Lowell (with Mill City Grows) | Register here.

April 13, 4:00PM | New Bedford (with New Bedford Public Schools) | Register here.

April 13, 3:15PM | Leeds (with School Sprouts) | Register here.

April 25, 3:30PM | Springfield (with Springfield Public Schools) | Register here.

Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month: You Only Have 1 Brain!

Recognizing Abilities, Creating Opportunities for All

Presented by Healing By Growing Farms Founder Dr. Ivette Ruiz

Date: Friday, March 31, 2023

Time: 1pm - 2pm EST

Location: Virtual Presentation via Google Meets

Cost: FREE

To register, please email healingbygrowing@gmail.com with your full name, organization name, email address, phone number and number of attendees.

Are you applying for a local or regional food systems grant and looking to incorporate up-to-date local food systems data in your application? In this webinar, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service will explore and demo a new tool called the Food and Agriculture Mapper and Explorer (FAME), which brings together data from dozens of publicly available datasets to make it easy for food systems practitioners to search and visualize information about U.S. local and regional food systems.

FAME is an open-access resource with the goals of supporting the utilization of data in program development, evaluation, and decision making and improving access to data. Using an equity focused lens, this resource includes indicators covering topics including labor, community resources, nutrition security and food access, business development, and local food sales and works to improve access to more comprehensive data on local and regional food systems. Join this webinar to learn how to best make use of this resource and to learn more about the state of local food systems in a given area. There will be a live question and answer session at the end.

Learn the three essential components of marketing your farm, with a focus on agritourism. Myrna Greenfield is the “Top Egg” at Good Egg Marketing and the author of Marketing Your Farm: A practical guide to attracting loyal customers and increasing sales. Ellen Parlee is the co-owner of Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, which offers pick-your-own fruit and flowers, along with a farmstand, bakery, ice cream stand, animal petting area, and a food trailer. Ryan Wilson is the co-owner of DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, New Hampshire, which offers pick-your-own apples/peaches/blueberries/Xmas trees, hayrides, school tours, special events, Cross Country running, and hiking trails and has a full commercial kitchen. The farm plays host to Torey Roderick Performance Horses and every October, the world-famous Haunted Overload.

Student farmers across programs and universities gather to present about their own programs and learn about others to collectively grow and improve campus food systems.

Are you working on or interested in values-based institutional food procurement? The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is, too! Join Jessika Brenin and Mark Fine from MAPC, Simca Horwiz from Massachusetts Farm to School, and Betsy Skoda from Healthcare Without Harm to reflect on values-based food procurement in municipal, school, and healthcare settings, to find partners in this work, and to jumpstart action.

[Monthly on Wednesdays March 22  - November 15 with a summer break]

For people who want to discover how whiteness has shaped them and practice new cognitive, emotional, and bodily/somatic patterns. Why this series? Land stewardship in the US has a deep history of racism, and yet land offers resources for resilience and healing from racism. As farm and food system workers and educators connected to land, we have a unique responsibility and opportunity to deeply engage in this healing work. Through this series, you're invited to take a step back from analysis and cognitive learning to shift personal patterns in your body and heart. Facilitators will share practices to help us focus on abundance, resilience, interdependence, and humility: qualities we need to build authentic, trusting relationships with people of all identities. Hosted by the Farm-Based Education Network in partnership with the School Garden Support Organization Network, your peers in the workshop will be farmers, staff at food, farm, and agriculture organizations and farm-based educators. Register by 3/20/23.

Join Massachusetts Farm to School at Pause and Pivot Farm in Williamsburg, MA where hosts, Miana Hoyt Dawson and Terry Dawson, will show their hydroponic systems. Participants will learn how a small hydroponic growing system works, and will also get to go inside the Freight Farm where greens are grown year round for market. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and have a tasting of hydroponic greens.

Join CADE as we invite Food as Medicine Coordinator, Kate Miller Corcoran of Food & Health Network and 607 CSA’s Wholesale and Program Manager Cheryl Landsman to explore market opportunities in food access programs. This conversation will help us define food as medicine and explore the role farmers can play in supporting initiatives, while reaching untapped markets. Hear farm and food business experiences on navigating these programs and understand the potential of sales generation that can be secured while maintaining food justice and access values. 

Part of the NH Farm to School Network's 2023 Webinar Series

How can hydroponics work in the school cafeteria? In this workshop from Massachusetts Farm to School, participants will learn how hydroponics can be used in the School Cafeteria to grow food and engage students. You will learn the whole process from starting the hydros to cleaning them at the end of the school year. Jane will share some tricks she’s learned along the way since 2015. The possibilities are endless and the best part is…you don’t need a green thumb! 

Presenter: Jane Rice, Cook Manager, Foxborough Public Schools

(Session 3 of a 3-Part Series from Food Systems Leadership Network) Using the Message Box tool introduced in Session 1, participants will work with a Spitfire coach and peers to workshop tailored messages and gain support on how/when to deploy their messaging effectively. In small groups, participants will craft language and messaging for two different audiences specific to the Farm Bill. As a group, we will share back our work and receive live feedback and suggestions from Spitfire coaches. This session will help participants practice using the Messaging Box and equip them with ideas and tips for applying it to your own work.

Join together at UMass - Amherst to network with your peers, cheer on the Chefs competing in the Culinary Challenge, see what’s new at Showcase and learn something new from our presenters.

Part of the Growing School Gardens Summit Webinar Series from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation and the School Garden Support Organization Network.

Join a group of seafood professionals with vested interest in New York’s seafood industry to foster active communications and build productive relationships and collaboration throughout the state.

How can hydroponics work in the classroom setting? In this workshop from Massachusetts Farm to School, participants will learn how to build (and teach students to build) a simple, low-cost hydroponic growing system that can be set up in any school classroom. The workshop will explore how to build the system and how to empower and organize students to maintain, run and grow food in the classroom. Presenters: Miana Hoyt Dawson, Pause and Pivot Farm

Join a group of seafood professionals with vested interest in New York’s seafood industry to foster active communications and build productive relationships and collaboration throughout the state.

Join a group of seafood professionals with vested interest in New York’s seafood industry to foster active communications and build productive relationships and collaboration throughout the state.

NOAA Fisheries recently released a draft National Seafood Strategy. The agency is soliciting written input until March 16, 2023. To ensure that the agency hears from small-scale and community-based fishing entities, the Local Catch Network is hosting a Listening Session on March 6, 2023 at 4 PM ET for NOAA Fisheries. 

Please join the University of California, Merced on Monday, 3/6 at 3 PM PDT for an Ask Me Anything with Sophie Egan. Biography: Sophie Egan, MPH is Director of the Stanford Food Institute and Sustainable Food Systems at R&DE Stanford Dining, where she is Co-Director of the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative. 

Part of the NH Food Alliance Network Café Series.

(Session 2 of a 3-Session Series from Food Systems Leadership Network) Partner organizations walk through how they leveraged key communications tools like the Message Box and deployed messaging that advanced key policies. They will share challenges and tips for telling your stories in accessible and compelling ways, and answer questions about developing your own messaging campaigns. 

This B2B networking event is a great opportunity for food entrepreneurs and wholesale buyers to connect, explore new sales arrangements, and strengthen the New England food system. Early registration discounts for exhibitors and attendees until Dec 18.

A day of engaging virtual workshops for farmers, foodies, and agricultural advocates. Keynote by chef, advocate, organizer and educator Neftali Duran.

Did you know that Districts across CT are poised to receive federal dollars that can only be spent on fresh and minimally processed local product? This free, day-long workshop will bring together farmers and public-school food service directors to learn, connect and share best practices, success stories and frustrations.

(Session 1 of a 3-Session Series from Food Systems Leadership Network) Spitfire Strategies will help participants learn how to build strategies for creating productive, lasting relationships with policymakers on the upcoming Farm Bill – based on the participants’ existing skill-level and expertise in advocacy. Participants will get a preview of Spitfire’s Message Box tool and how to create messages that channel  the core values, concerns and challenges of priority audiences. The Message Box will help participants create compelling messages that focus on their unique policy platforms and build champions among their priority legislators. 

Dream Into Being is an invitation to pause, collectively dream the agricultural future we long for, and learn together about seeds to plant today to grow the fruits of tomorrow

Part of the NH Farm to School Network's 2023 Webinar Series

Part of the Growing School Gardens Summit Webinar Series from the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation and the School Garden Support Organization Network.

Part of the NH Farm to School Network's 2023 Webinar Series

Gather with farmers, service providers and community supporters at this daylong event to discuss and increase disability awareness while being equipped with skills and resources to become allies in advocating for accessibility in agriculture.

Part of the NH Food Alliance Network Café Series.

This webinar will cover benchmarks and decision making tools to understand if your business is wholesale ready. One of many webinars offered by CADE.

Part of the NH Farm to School Network's 2023 Webinar Series