A Local Food Conversation in Exeter

Editor's note: "Greatest Person" is an Exeter Patch series highlighting people doing extraordinary things in town. Previous installments can be found and .

Kathy Gallant and Tracey Miller are on a mission to foster a community conversation about how to eat the best food.

Obviously, that includes the deliciousness of the food. But just as important – and perhaps more so – are where, when, and how that food was produced, according to the pair.

Gallant is the owner of the popular restaurant downtown. Miller is a local nutrionist and health coach. They recently teamed up to start the "Food and Health Forum" at the restaurant to encourage a dialogue about just how your food gets from the farm to your belly.

The first meeting of the series was a huge success. About 100 people to hear from Stonyfield's Gary Hirshberg, who has made the New Hampshire-based organic yogurt company a top local brand.

"We're learning and gaining an understand of what's going on … in the food world," Gallant said.

"Sometimes people are confused about what to eat," Miller said. "We're trying to provide information and education."

The next installment of the series is Feburary 13, when Maine farmer Jim Gerritsen . He's led a national effort to keep food crops free of genetic modification. There are future forums scheduled for April and May. More information abouut them can be found here.

Gallant and Miller said the overarching goal of the forum series it to reestablish the link between what people eat, where their food comes from, and how it affects their health.

"We're not coming at this with all the answers," Gallant said. "We're coming at it to explore ... (and) to empower us to make better choices."