Urban Roots to continue conversation on supporting local food at Wealthy Theatre

We all want everyone in our community to have access to good food. We all want to support our local farmers and food producers. Doing that well, however, comes with real and complex barriers and challenges. Two weeks ago, Levi Gardner, Founder and Director of Growth at Urban Roots addressed some of the challenges he sees when he shared his thoughts in an article that addressed concerns about the Downtown Market. That article, with the highest share rate of any Rapidian article to date on the citizen-driven platform, revealed the need for further conversation around how we support good local food- both those who grow it and those who need access to it.

In order to continue this conversation with a broader range of perspectives, Urban Roots is presenting a panel discussion at the Wealthy Theatre this September 14. The event, titled "Support Local Food: A conversation on access, growing and the local food economy," will begin with a social hour at 5:00 and the panel discussion starting at 6:30 p.m.

During the social hour, food will be provided by Tacos El Cunado at the Downtown Market and various organizations will be available at tables to provide ways for local citizens to learn more and get involved in supporting our local food economy.

The panel discussion will include representatives of our local farmers, food vendors, agroecology experts experts and our neighbors in need of access. During the event, a Twitter wall will collect questions and comments from the audience and those following in the Twittersphere, utilizing the hashtag #foodrapids to collect the conversation.

This event, hosted by the CMC at Wealthy Theatre, and broadcast live on GRTV and live-streamed here on The Rapidian, is made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors such as the MSU Extension Office, Bartertown Diner and CVLT Pizza, World Renew, Tacos El Cunado at the Downtown Market and the Grand Valley State University Environmental Studies Program. 

Kids' Food Basket will also be available at the event for those interested in learning more about increasing food security for our community's children.

To help fund the event, Bartertown Diner/CVLT Pizza's support will be raised through a fundraising support night at the restaurants on Friday, September 11. From 4 p.m. to close at both establishments, 25% of all proceeds will go directly towards supporting the event.