Food Forum to "Dig in to Local Food" to be held March 4th at Fox Lane High School

On Saturday March 4, Bedford 2020 will celebrate local Hudson Valley food, farming, cooking and more at the first Bedford 2020 Food Forum. Participants will have an unparalleled opportunity to engage with experts about our food system, the benefits of local farms and food, and explore initiatives to eliminate food waste and increase food distribution to needy recipients. Bedford 2020 Food Forum welcomes all community members—home gardeners, chefs, cooks, teens, parents, activists, health conscious individuals and anyone who wants to learn more about local food in our area.

“The Bedford 2020 Food Forum was born out of an overwhelming desire from community members to come together to learn, meet the stakeholders and share information about the local food scene in Northern Westchester and surrounding areas,” explained Olivia Farr, Food Forum Co-Chair. “Our goal is for each attendee to leave the event with inspiring information and one or two specific action plans relevant to their own personal food, health and community priorities.”

The event is organized around four central food themes:

• Eat: Celebrate and drive action around local food topics—including strategies for better local cooking
• Buy: Explore ways to evaluate, purchase and afford healthy, delicious local food
• Grow: How to grow and enjoy your own backyard harvest
• Share: Learn about local food security, accessibility, eliminating food waste and how to get involved and help throughout the community.

Renowned Keynote Speakers. Bedford 2020 has tapped two food world rock stars as keynote speakers to set the stage for the event themes of local food and taking action. The opening session will feature Mark Bittman, the New York Times food journalist, renowned author and self-proclaimed guru in “making food in all its aspects understandable.”
Later, a general session will be led by Michel Nischan, sustainable food pioneer, founder of Wholesome Wave (a leading organization aimed at ensuring affordable, healthy, local food for all) and three time James Beard Award winning chef.

“We are thrilled to provide the opportunity for community members to interact with these eminent thought leaders in the world of food. Both Mark and Michel bring an incredible depth of knowledge, a deep passion for local food and a unique ability to help individuals make beneficial food choices in line with their own personal goals,” noted Bedford 2020 Food Forum Co-Chair Karen Simons.

20 Expert Panels and Workshops. Supplementing the keynote speakers, The Bedford 2020 Food Forum will offer dynamic, interactive workshops and expert panel discussions around the areas of “Buy, Eat, Grow and Share.” Topics will include: The Skinny on What’s Really in Our Food, The Inside Scoop on Shopping a Farmers Market Like a Chef, Increasing Healthy Food in Our Schools, How to Get Involved With and Drive Food Policy, Local Success Stories in Feeding The Hungry Among Us, Backyard Bees and Chickens, The History of The Food Movement in Our Area, and many more. With nearly twenty workshops, there will be something for everyone. A special set of workshops will be tailored to high school students who want to learn about topics from being a food justice leader to careers in food and agriculture.

Interactive Demonstrations and Learning. The interactive Bedford 2020 Food Forum Expo, a hands-on display and learning venue will feature an indoor famer’s market, live cooking demonstrations, a pop-up bookstore, gardening and composting demonstrations, mindful eating and health displays, and lively discussions around food health, sustainable food systems, food justice advocacy, food waste and more. “We anticipate over 50 Expo booths at the Food Forum. The selection criteria for Expo participants requires they provide a highly experiential, hands-on opportunity for people to dig in to local food,” said Bedford 2020 Program Manager, Ellen Calves.

Event Registration. The Bedford 2020 Food Forum will run from 8:30am to 3:00pm on Saturday, March 4th at Fox Lane High School, Route 172, Bedford. Carpooling is encouraged and you can sign up for Rideshare on the website. Tickets are $25 dollars and include keynote sessions, three self-selected workshops, the Expo and a delicious lunch by Ladle of Love featuring seasonal local fare. Student admission is free. Scholarship tickets are available. Tickets can be purchased via the website: www.bedford2020.org/foodforum. The event is anticipated to sell out.

Sponsors. The Food Forum is co hosted by Bedford 2020 Coalition and the Bedford Central School District. Food Forum Sponsors include: Northern Westchester Hospital, Stop and Shop NY Metro Division, Bambi’s Bar at the Bedford Playhouse, Bedford Central School District, Bedford Magazine, Curtis Instruments and Ladle of Love (list is in formation).

For more information about the Bedford 2020 Food Forum or to become a sponsor, contact Bedford 2020 at info@bedford2020.org or call (914) 620-2411.
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Bedford 2020 is a non-profit organization leading a grassroots effort in the Town of Bedford, NY to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and to create a sustainable community that conserves natural resources. Bedford 2020 programs are led by the work of nine Task Forces with over 90 community volunteers. More information is available at www.Bedford2020.org.