Findlay Market

The Montgomery County Food Policy Coalition, the University of Dayton’s Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program and Growing Power Initiative, and the Partners for the Environment Food Team will host the 4th Annual Montgomery County Food Summit on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the University of Dayton River Campus (Meyer Room), 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio. The food summit is free and open to the public. The consumer demand for locally grown food and local products continues to expand within our region. Commissioner Judy Dodge says, “The demand for locally grown food and local products continues to expand as consumers see the health and economic benefits in our community.  The summit will focus on connecting the Dayton region’s local food producers with local consumers; institutions, retailers, restaurants, and schools.”

The food summit will focus on connecting the Dayton region’s local food producers with local consumers, institutions, retailers, restaurants, and schools. A variety of markets, producers, and retailers will present information about their distribution successes and challenges. A facilitated discussion will be held to explore solutions for developing distribution support for our local farmers and producers. If you’re interested in the growing local food movement – CSAs, market, and more – please RSVP by November 4, 2014 to [email protected] or call 937-225- 6470.

From Farms to Tables: Connecting Producers to Consumers

Commission Dodge shared: Producers will share their stories about the successes, challenges, and economics of smaller farms, and a variety of market models will also be presented.  In the afternoon we will engage in facilitated discussions to seek solutions in developing distribution support for our local farmers and producers.   

WHEN: November 7, 2014,  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m

WHERE: University of Dayton River Campus, Meyer Room; 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, Ohio

What’s on the Schedule?

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration (Exhibit Fair, Networking)

9:00 a.m. – 9:10 a.m. Welcome:

• Judy Dodge, Montgomery County Commissioner
• Jim Gross, Health Commissioner, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County

9:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Producer Panel: Successes, Challenges and Community Support

• Mile Creek Farm – Ben and Emily Jackle
• Bowman & Landes – Carl Bowman
• Hungry Toad Farm – Michael Malone
• Shiloh Market – Zella Cook
• EBT Connection – Christie Welch, Ohio State University

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break (Exhibit Fair,  Networking)

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Making a Connection to Local Food: Brian Raison, OSU Extension – A Study in Ohio’s Hospitals and Their Use of Local Foods

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Market Models:

• 2nd Street Market (Dayton) – Jimmy Harless
• Findlay Market  (Cincinnati) – Karen Kahle
• Weinland Park Food District (Columbus) – Brian Williams, MORPC

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch (Exhibit Fair, Networking) & Keynote Speaker  Dan Carmody – The Detroit Eastern Market (Detroit)

12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.: Dennis Chrisman – Dorothy Lane Market

12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Distribution Models:

• Patchwork Gardens – CSA model – George Mertz & Erik Vasilauskas
• Our Harvest Cooperative – Kristin Gangwer
• Mission of Mary – Stephen Mackell
• Champaign County Virtual Farmers Market – Pam Bowshier and Mark Runyan

1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Break (Exhibit Fair, Networking)

2:00 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. Five Rivers MetroParks – Gardening Program

2:10 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Facilitated Discussion & Report Out – Bob Steinbach

3:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks – Commissioner Judy Dodge