Farm to Cafeteria Forum: Enhancing Local Food Marketing Opportunities in MB

Farm to Cafeteria programs are taking root in schools, colleges, daycares, hospitals, and other institutions
across North America. The buzz around local food has never been greater, but there is still much work to be
done to strengthen the local food supply chain in Manitoba.

The Food Matters Manitoba Farm to Cafeteria Forum is part of the Growing Local Food Security Conference
at the University of Winnipeg, February 19 & 20, and will engage farmers, food service coordinators, chefs,
processers, grocers, retailers, and other not for profits. Along with facilitated discussions of local food
marketing opportunities, the forum will provide examples of successful initiatives from across Canada and develop an action plan for moving forward in Manitoba.

Keynote speakers for the day are leaders in sourcing and serving local food in institutions, including Lori Stahlbrand and Don Mills of Local Food Plus in Ontario, Roger Epp and Lilas Bielopotocky of the University of Alberta Augustana Campus, and Manitoba’s own Priscilla Reimer. Local Food Plus has been named one of Tides Canada's Top 10 most innovative organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and real-world impact in addressing today's most pressing environmental and social problems. Roger Epp has converted the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta into a sustainable smorgasbord of prairie delicacies, all while supporting local producers. Priscilla's presentation will focus on a model of distribution for Manitoba that allows farmers to work cooperatively to get the maximum amount of local food to big markets.

Thanks to funding from the Rural Secretariat of Canada, the Farm to Cafeteria Forum is FREE. A limited
number of travel subsidies are available for out of town participants as well. Lunch is not being provided,
but participants may purchase tickets for the main conference meal at a cost of $10, and join others who are interested in supporting Manitoba’s local food movement. For more information or to register for the Farm to Cafeteria Forum email farm2caf@gmail.com or call Sheri Blaylock at 204-239-7170.

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