December 1-3, 2003
SAFSF Forum
San Francisco, CaliforniaBuilding Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Philanthropy's Role in Informing Public Policy
View the program (PDF format)
Information from and materials produced during the Forum are available only to funders who are registered on the SAFSF website. If you are a funder and are not currently registered, please do so by clicking here.
Nearly forty funders came together in December 2003 for the Second SAFSF National Forum in San Francisco, California.
Public policy is a powerful and effective tool to accelerate the move toward sustainable agriculture and food systems at the local, state, and national level. The discussions at the Forum provided funders with an opportunity to discuss the power of policy and its role in our work. How can we as foundations affect policy? How can policy effect change in the food system? What strategies might we employ to ensure even greater policy change victories in the coming months and years? The program featured a variety of policy experts from the field and time for sharing among colleagues. In addition, the program included a tour of and cooking demonstration at the newly opened San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, a visit to the Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley, and much more in highlighting the many facets of the food system in the Bay area.
For further information concerning the 2003 SAFSF Forum you may contact Virginia Clarke-Laskin at vclarke@ega.org.
September 22-23, 2003
Transforming Agriculture: Cuba and Canada
EGA Retreat (Ottawa, Canada)In recent decades, Cuban agriculture has been transformed into a fully organic, locally grown food system, an ideal that many would like to see throughout North America. But Cuba has been shaped by many unique forces, not the least of which is its isolation from global markets. Is it possible to make similar changes on a larger scale in the U.S.? Humberto Rios Labrada, Director, Participatory Plant Breeding Leader, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Havana, Cuba describes the Cuban experience, and Debbie Field from FoodShare in Toronto responds with her perspective as a Canadian food activist who has worked to make organic, locally grown food available in Ontario.
Transforming a National Agriculture: The Cuban Experience and a Canadian Response
Powerpoint presentation by Debbie Field, FoodShare Toronto (PDF format)SAFSF Reception
EGA Retreat, Tuesday, September 22, 2003 (Ottawa, Canada) 5- 6 p.m.
Ag and Food Systems Funders and Interested Funders: Meet, Greet, and Eat! Come learn about food systems and sustainable agriculture as you enjoy the best of local fare from Ontario! The Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders working group invite you to join them to meet Virginia Clarke-Laskin, the new SAFSF Coordinator, learn about current activities and upcoming events, and sample local food, drink, and fun. Update on planning for the 2nd Annual SAFSF Forum, to be held in San Francisco in December 2003 in collaboration with the California focused Funders for Sustainable Food Systems (FSFS).
April 10, 2003
Slow Food Reception, Minneapolis, MN
In cooperation with the Funders' Network for Smart GrowthFunders were treated to an evening of wonderful food and networking at The McKnight Foundation's new building in a restored mill on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis as part of the Funders' Network for Smart Growth 2003 Annual Conference, Moving Liveable Communities from Idea to Practice: Advancing Policy and Action at the Community, Regional and National Levels. SAFSF staff shared with those present about the possibilities that come with this food systems approach - community involvement, environmental sustainability, and protected rural heritage.
Twin Cities chefs and producers showcasing their choice selections of locally grown and harvested seasonal delights included:
Mike Phillips, Chet's Taverna, St. Paul
http://www.chetstaverna.com/Alex Roberts, Restaurant Alma, Minneapolis
http://www.restaurantalma.com/Jon Grumbles, French Meadow Bakery & Café, Minneapolis
http://www.frenchmeadow.comLenny Russo, Heartland Café, St. Paul Ken Goff, The Dakota Bar & Grill, St. Paul
http://www.dakotacooks.com/Tanya Siebenaler and Julie Steenerson, Sapor Café & Bar, Minneapolis
http://www.saporcafe.com/Juliet Tomkins, Four Winds Farm, River Falls, WI http://www.greenpeople.org/searchResults.cfm?memid=1251
Tim Fischer, Fischer's Purebred Hog Farm, Waseca, MN
Joan Donelan-Weber, Midwest Salad Company, Waseca, MN
Don Roberts, Elsie's Farm, Minneapolis
http://www.localharvest.org/
