About
Friday Breakout Descriptions
Breakout session 1: 9:45-10:40am
What is Food Security? What is meant by the term ‘Food Security’? An introduction that explains this and other frequently used terms such as ‘food deserts’ and ‘food insecurity.’ The hunger/obesity paradox is at play in our community and many others. This session will be a basics course for those who want to know more about food issues in our community. Session leader: Edwin Marty; Jones Valley Urban Farm.
Community Gardens: What they are how they build community. Community gardens can be catalysts for neighborhoods and community development, providing a place for residents to grow food and work collectively. This session will feature a panel of community gardeners who will talk about best practices, challenges and successes. Those who are interested may want to attend the Growing Together introduction on November 13 at 10am. Panelists: Rachel Reinhart, Jones Valley Urban Farm; Andy Olds, Norwood Community Garden; Jamal Brown; Cooper Green Community Garden.
Using Your Voice: Advocating for change in your community. Intro to Advocacy –How can you get involved? Want to engage your friends or community? This panel will share ideas for engagement, focusing on grassroots efforts and how you can get involved in local, state and national efforts. Session Leader: Kristina Scott, Alabama Poverty Project. Panelists: Scott Douglas, Greater Birmingham Ministries; Elaine VanCleve, Bread for the World & ONE Campaign; Alabama Arise; Department of Children’s Affairs
The Grocery Gap Study. Using the Neighborhood Market Study to measure community economic indicators, Social Compact will share their findings on Birmingham’s economic opportunity. Social Compact is a non-profit organization with a mission to uncover the hidden economic strength in urban communities. Session leader: Social Compact.
Breakout session 2: 10:55-11:50
School Lunches: What are we doing and what can we do? A discussion about the challenges and successes of healthy school lunches in Jefferson County. Panelists will talk candidly about the need for reform and the challenges they face in feeding our children. Panelists: Beth Miller, CNP Nutrition Supervisor, Jefferson County Schools; Pam Weed, Childrens Policy Council; Debbie Williams, Physical Education Resource Supervisor, Jefferson County Schools; Scott Silver, Farm to School Coordinator, Jones Valley Urban Farm
Alabama Cooperative Extension (ACES). What is the Cooperative Extension and how can it help you? The cooperative extension service offers many programs and resources for residents of Jefferson County. Come learn about of their services and how they can help you in your food security quest! Session Leader: Alabama Cooperative Extension Service.
Creating a More Walkable Community Around Food. How does walkability fit into a healthy, food secure neighborhood? How can Jefferson County become more walk and bike friendly, making it easier to get to community gardens, neighborhood markets and grocery stores? Our One Mile can help connect the members of the Jefferson County community to school and community gardens, farmers markets, restaurants, and much more, making the whole area happier, healthier, and stronger. Session leader: Freshwater Land Trust.
The Future of Public Markets in Birmingham. How do we enhance Birmingham’s growing market for farmers, vendors, peddlers, community organizers and healthy providers who are working to increase healthy food in underserved neighborhoods? A presentation and panel of market experts, organizers and supporters, will discuss the future of public markets in Birmingham. Panelists: Maurice Bothwell, Jefferson County Truck Growers Association; Sally Allocca, East Lake Farmers Market; Cathy Crenshaw, Pepper Place Farmers Market (tbd); Ama Shambulia, WE Community Gardens.
YOUR Food Charter: Reflections. The Food Charter is a document that is aiming to change our food system by laying out where we are headed. This session will be a facilitated discussion about the Food Charter and whether it is an accurate assessment of our food system. This is your chance to be heard and give your candid thoughts and reflections while hearing from some Food Charter creators. Session leader: David Matthew Center for Civic Life. Other participants: Frank Franklin, UAB; Edwin Marty, Jones Valley Urban Farm; Sallie Lee, ACES; Gus Heard-Hughes, Heifer International
Break-out Session 3: 1:50-2:40pm
Putting the Cart Before the Shopper: “Birmingham’s Solution for Recruiting and Retaining Grocery Stores.” The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development will share with Summit attendees and participants about the incentives available for retaining and recruiting grocery stores within the City of Birmingham. Our discussion will include thoughts on quality food options and availability, strong neighborhoods going hand-in-hand with a “healthy workforce” as well as the role of grocery stores in the sustainability and revitalization of urban neighborhoods. Session leaders: Lisa Cooper, Sr. Project Manager; Griffin Lassiter, Sr. Project Manager, Mayor's Office of Economic Development.
Healthy Snacks and Lunches. Best practices from P.E.E.R, an afterschool program that has worked to incorporate healthier snacks into their programs. Get ideas and hands-on lessons for using fresh foods in an easy, cost effective way. Session leader: Cheryl Hinnen, P.E.E.R Inc.
Faith Based Food Security Initiatives. What are churches and faith communities doing to foster food security in Alabama and Jefferson County? How can your faith community get involved? Panelists will share their experiences in engaging communities of faith and the larger community. Panelists: Charlie Griffin, Maggie Johnston; Camp McDowell, Leanne Pearce Reed; Montevallo Seed-to-Table, Brent Everett; Southside Baptist Food Pantry
DIVE! Screening. Watch this engaging documentary on waste in our country.
What is Food Security? What is meant by the term ‘Food Security’? An introduction that explains this and other frequently used terms such as ‘food deserts’ and ‘food insecurity.’ The hunger/obesity paradox is at play in our community and many others. This session will be a basics course for those who want to know more about food issues in our community. Session leader: Edwin Marty; Jones Valley Urban Farm.
Breakout Session 4: 3:00-3:50pm
The High Cost of Low Price Food. A discussion about the paradox between sustaining farmers by paying a fair price for produce and the need for inexpensive food. Often healthy food is seen as expensive. How do we get this food into lower-served communities? What are the barriers? Panelists: Paulette van Matre, Magic City Harvest; Amanda Storey, Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities; Brenda J. Gardner, community member; Henry Fudge, Fudge Farms.
Student Reflection. David Buys and Heather Lee from UAB will discuss how students are involved in the fight against hunger and food insecurity in Jefferson County and Alabama. They will talk about the beginnings and where the student-led initiatives are currently. This is a great session for students who want to reflect on the food system and how they can get involved and make a difference. Session leaders: David Buys, UAB; Heather Lee, UAB.
Choosing Life: Transitioning into healthy living.. How can you bring healthy food into your home and community? Interested in small changes you can make to bring change into your life? The director of West End Community Gardens will share her experience and knowledge to prepare you to live a healthier life and bring food security into your community. She will also be hosting a cooking demonstration at West End on Saturday, November 13 at 12pm. Session leader: Ama Shambulia, West End Community Gardens.
Innovative Grocery Solutions: Cooperatives, corner stores and the new grocery store. Hear the new models for retail establishments as they try to get fresh foods into neighborhoods in unusual and innovative methods. Panelists: John Talmage, Social Compact; Kathryn Strickland, Huntsville, AL food coop; Miriam Liebowitz, Re/store Nashville; Janice Utley, UAB School of Public Health.
YOUR Food Charter: Reflections. The Food Charter is a document that is aiming to change our food system by laying out where we are headed. This session will be a facilitated discussion about the Food Charter and whether it is an accurate assessment of our food system. This is your chance to be heard and give your candid thoughts and reflections while hearing from some Food Charter creators. Session leader: David Matthew Center for Civic Life. Other participants: Frank Franklin, UAB; Edwin Marty, Jones Valley Urban Farm; Sallie Lee, ACES; Gus Heard-Hughes, Heifer International
Saturday Event Descriptions: Pre-registration highly encouraged for some, required for others. Help us plan for you!
Community Garden Tour (bus and bike). Enjoy a tour of some of the wonderful community gardens around the city. This tour will have both bike and bus options, with bikes available to rent for those interested. $1 suggested donation 8:30-10am starting from Jones Valley Urban Farm.
Growing Together (preregistration required). This is an innovative six-part training series that will take place one Saturday a month for six months, starting in December and running through May. Each class will focus on a variety of subjects that will help you and your community develop and sustain a productive garden. If your group wants to start a garden, we can help. Free, 10am-12pm at Jones Valley Urban Farm.
Farm Tour (pre-registration required). Take a trip out to the country! Want to see how Alabama farmers get the produce you love to market? This trip will visit A&P Farms and Mt. Laurel Farm. Transportation and lunch included. $25, 9am-3pm, more information to come. Trip will not take place if a minimum number is not met...bring your friends!
Seed 2 Plate (preregistration required). Children and parents can learn together about growing plants, preparing food, and growing healthy by making good food choices in a series of fun, hands-on activities. Bring your family to our downtown farm for unique and powerful field trips. Each program has agriculture, a nutrition, and culinary lessons connected by a unifying theme, so students have cumulative learning opportunities centered around food. $8, 10am-12pm at Jones Valley Urban Farm.
Canning Class. Learn how to preserve your own food using in-season ingredients to ensure your food has the market-fresh taste year round. This is a hands-on class where each person will go home with their very own jar of squash relish! $8, 10am-noon at East Lake United Methodist Church.
Cooking Demonstration. Come see Master Chef and Gardener Ama Shambulia prepare a fresh, healthy meal using produce from the West End Community Garden. Learn her techniques and taste a bit of the season in a light meal. Vegetarian friendly. $5, 12:15pm at West End Community Garden.
Finale Event: Taste $2.78. A chance to taste some of Birmingham's finest chefs offerings and learn about the importance of school lunches. Each chef will prepare a kid-friendly, healthy meal that costs no more than $2.78 per person to prepare, the money that will be provided if the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act is passed. This event will be a celebration for the whole family. Free, 3pm-5pm, Pepper Place Garden lot. Food provided by Slow Food Birmingham and Whole Foods Market.
More events being added daily! Check back regularly for updates!
