Northern Westchester Local Food Project To Hold Forum Tuesday In Chappaqua

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – Green Schools Coalition of Westchester, Bedford 2020 Coalition and Northern Westchester Hospital will host the “Northern Westchester Farm to Institution Forum” on Tuesday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon in the Kisco Room at Chappaqua Crossing.

Northern Westchester Farm to Institution Forum will be held Tuesday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Kisco Room at Chappaqua Crossing.
Photo Credit: *File*

by Michael Nocella

05/14/2013 12:01 a.m.

The Northern Westchester Local Food Project is an outgrowth of the Bedford 2020 Coalition – a local grassroots organization formed to implement Bedford’s Climate Action Plan through activities such as local food procurement. The coalition’s food and agriculture task force was assembled to promote local foods and local farms.

The project has been facilitated by Sustainable Food Systems LLC and aims to build an economically viable, high-quality, locally sourced food system for institutional buyers.

At the forum, food service providers and a local food distributor will share case studies on overcoming challenges and how they have successfully brought local food to institutions. Panelists will include:

Michael Morgan, director of dining service, Flik Independent School Dining/Rippowam Cisqua School. Topic: Farm to School
Diane Dalton-Rolleri, Aramark Higher Ed/Vassar College. Topic: Farm to College
Maria Hale, Northern Westchester Hospital - Topic: Farm to Hospital
Kevin Terr, Red Barn Produce. Topic: Aggregation/Distribution

Attendees will learn how to implement this program at their school, hospital or institution by asking “Can I afford not to buy local?”

A recently released American Farmland Trust report called the Northern Westchester Local Food Project "cutting edge," noting it focuses on the right issues to ensure the project becomes an early success story.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Tarrytown-SleepyHollow and receive free news updates.