Building a Local Food Network September 9, 2007

Building a Local Food Economy: a panel discussion exploring issues and potentials of our regional food system. Being situated in a region rich in farming tradition, Cincinnati restaurants and consumers have potential access to some of the best and freshest food available. However as Americans our food travels 1,500 miles on average before it reaches our plate and farmers are leaving behind their land at a rate of one every half hour. We will explore how these issues contribute to climate change, community health, local economies, etc.


How can we build on the richness of our regional farms while enjoying better food? What obstacles must be navigated to create a network beneficial to farmers, chefs and consumers? Our panel members will facilitate the discussion of these questions. The panel will include Bill Cahalan, clinical psychologist and local ecology speaker/activist;
Martha Balint, an experienced chef and founder of Local Matters in Columbus established to provide the community with access to affordable, nutritious, fresh and local foods; and
David Rosenberg, owner of Wooden Shoe Gardens in Winton Place, who has been involved in local food production since 1976 and helped to found the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA).