The Detroit Food Policy Council (DFPC) will host the 1st Annual Detroit Food Summit – “Powering Up The Local Food System” on May 19 and 20, 2011 at The Historic Eastern Market, Detroit, Michigan. The cost is $20 per person with partial scholarships available. Registration for the conference will open in early April.
The Summit will be designed to educate and inspire Detroit citizens, including elected officials and other leaders, to be actively involved in food security and other food related issues in our city. Additional activities and features are being planned. The tentative schedule is as follows:
May 19, 2011 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon: Media Event
- A report on Detroit’s food system will be released at the summit. Led by SEED Wayne director Kami Pothukuchi, the report analyzes strengths and weaknesses in Detroit’s food system and its links to community health and welfare, economic vitality, and other community goals. It also features many community-based initiatives to repair gaps in the conventional food system and build a better alternative.
- The Detroit Food Policy Council will be introduced.
- Guests will be treated to local food tastings.
May 20, 2011 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Breakfast and DFPC Video Presentation
- Networking and Resource Fair featuring local food system partners, urban agriculture resources, health and wellness organizations, farmers and local food.
- Youth Activities
- Local Foods Luncheon and Keynote Speaker Malik Yakini, Chairman, Detroit Food Policy Council
- Work Group Sessions will engage participants in learning about and creating solutions around four food related issues in a fun and engaging manner. The four topics are: Healthy Food Access, Urban Agriculture, Community Food Justice and Schools and Institutions.
The summit will be preceded by four community forums to engage residents in conversations about the food system and encourage their participation in the summit.
April 19 Gleaners Community Food Bank, 2131 Beaufait, Detroit 48207, 6-8 p.m.
April 20 Nsoroma Institute, 20045 Joann Street Detroit 48205, 6-8 p.m.
April 26 Christ the King Catholic Church, 20800 Grand River, Detroit 48219, 6-8 p.m.
April 28 Most Holy Redeemer, 1721 Junction, Detroit 48209 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Detroit Food Policy Council was established in 2009 by unanimous approval of the Detroit City Council. The DFPC consists of twenty-one members, including twelve (12) members with expertise in various sectors of the food system, six (6) “at-large” representatives and three (3) governmental representatives, each named by the Mayor’s Office, City Council and the Department of Health and Wellness Promotion (DHWP). The DFPC is committed to nurturing the development and maintenance of a sustainable, localized food system and food-secure city of Detroit in which all of its residents are hunger-free, healthy and benefit economically from the food system that impacts their lives.
The Detroit Food Policy Council 2934 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48207 313-833-0396, detroitfoodpolicycouncil@gmail.com
Click here to be introduced to the City of Detroit
Source: City of Detroit
