6:00 Reception

6:30 Program

Many people support the idea of purchasing local, sustainably grown food, but the current system for distributing food and regulating food production makes it difficult for local growers to get their products out to the market.

Safety regulations, in particular, are designed to protect the public from issues in large-scale industrial food production, and in many cases do not address the issues of local, sustainable food.

In this program we will hear from experts in agriculture, health, and food policy to determine the best way to increase availability of local food while still ensuring consumer safety.

Featuring:

Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, PhD, MPH, Director- Environmental Health Services,  City of Philadelphia: will present the city’s position and initiatives for food safety

Casey Spacht, General Manager, Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative: will discuss the concerns about regulation that have been expressed by the large network of small farms in Lancaster

Joan Norman, co-owner, One Straw Farm & CSA: will discuss her farm’s experience as a large scale organic producer and Food Alliance sustainably certified wholesaler and retailer. She will present on the measures farmers should take to get ahead of the regulatory issues.

Brian Snyder, Executive Director, PASA: will present on his experience helping to craft regulation at the state and federal level

This program is cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).