Register now for the nation’s largest food security conference, being held in Des Moines this October 10-13, 2009. Learn more at:

From Commodity to Community: Food Politics and Projects in the Heartland

Join us for the nation’s primary food systems networking and educational event in Des Moines for four days of inspiring presentations, scintillating workshops, fantastic networking opportunities, delectable local eats, and fun field trips around the state. This year’s will include a special one day gathering of state and local food policy council organizers and practitioners.

The conference will include plenaries on building networks for food system change, labor and immigration policy, and strategies for change of the industrial food system. Also featured will be 50 workshops, a food film festival, 6 field trips, the 1st annual Food Sovereignty Prize Award presentation, business meetings and structured networking time, lunch and learns, and a trade show. Workshops will focus on farm to cafeteria, food access in rural and urban communities, food politics and projects in the Heartland, labor and immigration in community food systems, international food security, local foods, food access in underserved communities, and much more.

Local Foods Connection will be co-presenting a workshop at the conference. Here is the description:

Fresh, Local Food for ALL: Increasing Access to and Diversity Within CSA
Kiera Mulvey, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition
Laura Dowd, Local Foods Connection
Gini Knight, Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition (MACSAC)

Community Supported Agriculture has the potential to be the backbone of a strong, secure food system.  In recent years CSA has surged in popularity, however, access to CSA and diversity of membership is still limited.  This session will be facilitated by two successful organizations with CSA programs for low income families. Learn about our projects and share ideas to increase access to and diversity within CSA in rural and urban communities.

Sincerely, Laura Dowd