Homegrown: Farm to Table food production

This sounds like a great event coming up next week from the Regional Sustainable Business Alliance:

The local food movement is growing in Eastern Iowa, bringing new business opportunities, new markets and new jobs with it.  “Farm to Table,” as it is often called, is an integrated approach to food production, processing, distribution, and consumption, which all happen on a local or regional scale.

On Wednesday, July 18, the Regional Sustainable Business Alliance (RSBA) will host a panel discussion of local food experts in an event called LOCALLY GROWN: The Economics of ”Farm to Table” Food Production. Panelists will engage in a discussion that addresses the significance of a locally based, self-reliant food economy.  Talking points will include the need to diversify current area commodity production, coop participation, “big box” store distribution and the development of farmer markets. The free event will take place at the Hy-Vee Community Room, 20 Wilson Ave SW, from Noon to 1:30PM. The public is invited to attend.

Panelists will include:

• Jason Grimm, co-founder of the Iowa Valley Food Co-op.  The Iowa Valley Food Co-op's purpose is to increase the availability of fresh, fairly priced, sustainably produced food in Eastern Iowa.  Jason's projects include beginning farmer and rancher training, Food Policy Council organization and implementation in Johnson and Linn Counties, Regional Farm to School Chapter development, Come to the Table Summit and collection of regional food system metrics.
• Scott Koepke, founder of “Soilmates” garden education service and Education Outreach Coordinator at New Pioneer Food Co-op.  He also serves on the Board of Directors at Field To Family, Iowa Valley Food Co-op and Johnson County Board of Supervisors Local Food Policy Council.  Scott also served in the U.S. Peace Corps.
• Bill Reickhoff, Farm Development Manager for Morgan Creek Farm & Markets.  Morgan Creek is a 37 acre vegetable farm and produce market located west of Cedar Rapids on Hwy 30 that practices sustainable farming with an emphasis on natural buffers, cover crops, and crop rotation.  Growing vegetable varieties for taste rather than transport and shelf life are the key to satisfying Morgan Creek's customer friends.
• Moderator, Susannah LeVon, Registered Dietitian at the Wilson Avenue Hy-Vee. Helping people understand how food and nutrition affects them and making “nutrition” fit into any lifestyle is her passion.  She has several years of experience working in many areas of nutrition; including maternal and child nutrition, international nutrition, diabetes, heart disease, holistic nutrition and food service management.

The event is part of the monthly RSBA Round Table Discussions that are held throughout the corridor. RSBA is committed to creating a sustainable business community where environmental impact is minimized and economic growth potential is maximized.  We do this through holding events, sharing information and reaching out to the business community.