What gaps and opportunities are currently coming to the forefront of our local food system in Whatcom and Skagit county?
Join us to connect with other food systems organizations and hear updates from your peers and catalyze our collaborative capacity.
How is this event special?
This event is designed to respond to the current crisis and bring us together and engage in how we can make our food system stronger. This 1.5 hour interactive online meeting replaces our previously scheduled half-day Spring Forum.
The Online Whatcom Food System Meet-Up for Critical Conversations includes online small-group discussions and encourages cross-sector networking and collaboration. Participants will discuss food system issues and gaps that have become apparent during the pandemic, and hear about groups that have coalesced to address them. The focus will be on how we can adapt in the long term and not lose the critical knowledge and food-system innovations emerging during this time. Finally, we will come back together to share highlights for how we can collaborate now for a healthier and more equitable food system for all. We aim for you to leave the event more tapped into resources and feeling relief in the solidarity and connection with your peers.
Don’t miss this chance to connect across food system sectors to find ways we can better support one another now and into the future.
Please share this event with your colleagues, and register today.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-whatcom-food-system-meet-up-tickets-103751674050
For questions or special accommodations, email kerrye@sustainableconnections.org
Who should attend:
Labor and farmworker representatives
Farmers and farmer incubator organizations
Direct market outlets / direct marketers
Food processors
Distributors and food hub managers
Restaurateurs, caterers, and chefs
Food recovery and food waste and emergency food representatives
Food systems practitioners/ NGO program coordinators of all kinds
Public health representatives
Food and farming individuals
Harvesters, farmworkers, fishermen, and growers
About the Facilitators:
We are thankful that David Westerlund and Laura Ridenour donated their meeting design and facilitation skills to ensure this online event includes engaging discussions and taps into the collective wisdom in our local food system.
Laura M. Ridenour helps women entrepreneurs manage transitions for resilience and is a change-management consultant specializing in food systems growth and development. As a natural facilitator of inclusive groups, Laura founded the Eat Local First Campaign, September Eat Local Month, and is a co-founder of the Whatcom Food Network as well as other collaborative marketing campaigns. Most recently, she co-authored the 8th edition of the WSDA Small Farm Direct Marketing Guide, and directed a national fundraising campaign for organic farming. Laura is currently most inspired by her young son, jetting on her road bike, and the gospel of soil biota in backyard hot compost piles. LauraMRidenour.com
David Westerlund is the Founder of Be Present Discover Joy Consulting, LLC. His work centers around amplifying engagement and unleashing innovation leading to resilient, supportive, joyful, and agile workplace cultures that allow organizations to have greater momentum and impact towards their mission. He's proud to call Bellingham and Whatcom County home. www.BePresentDiscoverJoy.com
This event is hosted by the Whatcom Food Network, with funding support from the Whatcom Community Foundation.