With food policy so far down on the federal policy agenda, it’s difficult to know how to direct our activist energy these days. 2018 is a Farm Bill year, however, and with the Trump administration seeming to prioritize business interests above all else, now’s as important of a time as ever to stay informed and engage.
Slow Food NYC believes so, too, and is organizing an expert lineup for their eighth annual public policy discussion on Monday, January 29, at Project Farmhouse from 6:00–8:30 p.m. (full transparency: I’m on the board). Called the “Almanac,” the organizers are hosting a forming for guests to “consider food and farming policy challenges, opportunities and action in the New Year.” Tickets are only $15 and there will be local beer, wine and snacks.
The panel lineup is exceptional and includes:
- Barry Benepe: Architect and city planner, who, in 1976, founded New York City’s Greenmarket—the largest network of farmers markets in the U.S.
- Michelle Hughes: Director of investments and partnerships, National Young Farmers Coalition
- Reana Kovalcik: Associate director, communications and development, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
- Samantha Levy: Policy manager, American Farmland Trust—New York
- Anastasia Cole Plakias: Co-founder and vice president, Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm
- Karen Washington: Co-founder and farmer at Rise & Root Farm and community gardening practitioner, educator and activist
Chef Peter Hoffman—a leader in sourcing social, cultural and environmentally responsible ingredients—will moderate. All proceeds will go toward Slow Food NYC’s Urban Harvest program that provides food education for local children at 11 different schools throughout the five boroughs and on a tuition-free, educational urban farm in East New York, Brooklyn.
More info and tickets here.
