Food System Economic Partnership 2009 Conference

Interested in learning more about the food system in southeastern Michigan?

The Food System Economic Partnership of Southeast Michigan is sponsoring their fourth annual conference on Thursday, June 18, 2009. The conference will be held at the LISD-Lenawee County Vocational Technical Center located at 1372 North Main Street (M-52) Adrian, MI 49221.

Kamyar Enshayan will be the keynote speaker on the topic, “Strengthening the Local Food Economy”. Kamyar Enshayan has worked in Northern Iowa to make locally grown foods more visible and available by connecting institutional food buyers to nearby farmers and processors. In 2007, 26 Northern Iowa grocers, restaurants, and institutions purchased $2.2 million from local food and farm businesses. Enshayan has been on the Cedar Falls City Council since 2003 and is the director of University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy & Environmental Education.

The conference breakout sessions include a wide range of informative, current topics. Here is a sample of the sessions offered:
Incorporating Local Food in Business Operations
How to Sell Produce Direct to Schools
Small-Scale Organic Vegetable Production
Detroit Food Policy Council
Michigan Farm Market Association Update

On-line registration and conference location directions are available at http://www.fsepconference.org/. Early registration is open until June 1, 2009 and the cost is $40. The cost includes materials, attendance at sessions, and a seasonal local food lunch.

If you would like additional information regarding registration, sponsorship, and/or exhibiting please contact Jennifer Fike at 734-222-6859 or fikej@ewashtenaw.org.