Thursday, February 03, 2011

The University of North Carolina Wilmington will host a conference for local farmers and buyers in an effort to help farmers create connections to get their products to the local marketplace. Feast DownEast, also known as Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program (SENCFS), is sponsoring the regional conference on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fisher Student Center on the UNCW campus.

The conference will focus on empowering SENC farmers with knowledge and skills to sustain and grow their farm businesses AND provide information to help institutions/schools/grocers/chefs support local farms through the development of local buying agreements and marketing opportunities. The conference is an effort to bridge the gap between farmers and the market.

"The gap is that small, limited resource farmers lack, the resources and networks to participate in many niche markets, particularly institutional markets (like schools, hospitals, colleges and universities)," said Leslie Hossfeld, SENCFS founder. "SENCFS provides these resources, and how to use them will be covered in the numerous sessions at the conference."

The conference will consist of workshops led by guest speakers involved in the local food market. Workshop topics include organic farming practices, diversified farming, farm business planning and marketing, farm to school, food safety and distribution. Randall (Randy) Gore, state director for USDA-NC rural development will be the keynote speaker for the event. The event will also include a LOCAL food lunch and cooking demo by UNCW executive chef Eric Huff, under the direction of food service director, Matt Rogers, and in collaboration with local farmers.

The Southeastern North Carolina Food Systems Program was created in 2007 as an economic and community development initiative as a result of high poverty rates and job loss in Southeastern North Carolina. The program was founded by UNCW public sociology professor Leslie Hossfeld and Center for Community Action in Lumberton employee Mac Legerton. The SENCFS was established in an effort to join public and private agencies together to create a county-based, regional food system that supports local farmers, educates the public about the importance of buying locally, and promotes the message of feasting on foods grown in the Southeast. The goal of Feast DownEast is to bring more local, fresh food choices to area restaurants, grocers, schools, college campuses, hospitals and other institutions.

For more information about the Feast DownEast program visit www.feastdowneast.org.

Media Contact: Emily Jones, media relations assistant, 910.962.3171 or elj2155@uncw.edu