2008 Convening
The first National Good Food Network Convening was held November 18-20, 2008 at the Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown, with over 150 producers, retailers, distributors, funders, non profits and food systems professionals in attendance.
Over the course of three days, attendees connected with potential partners in their region, shared models and business plans for the work of scaling up, learned about new funding opportunities and value chain models, contributed their knowledge through Peer Consulting Groups, and networked over locally and regionally sourced meals.
Browse the agenda below to watch panelists’ PowerPoint presentations or listen to panel audio.
Plus! Click here to view the complete attendee list
2008 National Good Food Network Convening Agenda
Scroll to the panel of your choice for PowerPoint presentations and audio
Tuesday, November 18
2:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. / Regional and National Networking: What’s Working and Why
This is the first of two panels moderated by Regional Lead Team (RLT) members and designed to share and strengthen expertise around the fundamental strategies of the National Good Food Network: building a Network and getting more good food to more people.
In this panel discussion, RLT organizations will share their stories of bringing together people, energy, ideas and resources to do more and do better. You’ll hear from your colleagues around the country about what works, what doesn’t, and how to create and strengthen relationships that yield both value and results.
Jim Dyer, Southwest Marketing Network:
PowerPoint | PDFPam Roy, Southwest Marketing Network:
PowerPoint | PDFVanessa Zajfen, Center for Food and Justice, Urban & Environmental Policy Institute, Occidental College:
PowerPoint | PDF
4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. / Successful Strategies for Producing, Moving and Marketing Good Food
This is the second of two panels moderated by Regional Lead Team (RLT) members and designed to share and strengthen expertise around the fundamental strategies of the National Good Food Network: building a Network and getting more good food to more people.
In this panel discussion, RLT organizations will discuss challenges, opportunities and successes in getting good food from farm to fork. Practitioners will share knowledge about aggregation, storage, distribution, marketing and retail connections with the intent of providing a snapshot of their thriving value-chains.
Don Bustos, American Friends Service Committee:
PowerPoint | PDFAnthony Flaccavento, Appalachian Sustainable Development:
PowerPoint | PDFBrett Melone, Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association:
PowerPoint | PDF
5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. / Moving Forward as a Network and Community
This discussion will provide the Wallace Center, RLTs, and the Advisory Council time to discuss challenges and opportunities as we build and grow the National Good Food Network. We’ll explore strategies for leveraging the expertise and resources of the Network and begin to shape the role of the Advisory Council in the Network moving forward.
Wednesday, November 19
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. / Welcome and National Good Food Network Vision
In this panel discussion, practitioners from along the value chain will discuss their role in the Network, and share thoughts on how to transform our relationships and knowledge into a powerful vehicle for scaling up and bringing more good food to more people. The panelists, who represent a cross section of the value chain, will speak directly to what they have to give to and gain from this community of practice, and reflect on how we can shape the National Good Food Network to meet our needs and the needs of our communities.
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. / Panel: Aggregation and Distribution Models I – Logistics
This is the first of two moderated panels on innovative aggregation and distribution models, designed to examine successful strategies for moving more good food.
This panel will explore the logistics of aggregation, including storage, grading, processing and transportation from the point of view of practitioners and professionals working on the ground. Panelists will include for-profits and non-profits from across the value chain.
Introduction: Rich Pirog, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture:
Audio: MP3Kim Barker, Oklahoma Food Coop:
Audio: MP3Gary Lyons, Walsma & Lyons:
Audio: MP3Diana Endicott, Good Natured Family Farms:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFAnthony Flaccavento, Appalachian Sustainable Development:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFQuestions and Answers:
Audio: MP3
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Panel: Who Buys Good Food?
These folks do! This panel will feature buyers who work for national and regional for-profit and non-profit enterprises that represent diverse elements of the good food value chain. The panelists will share their experiences in sourcing regionally and will discuss the opportunities and challenges they see in scaling up the purchasing and distribution of more good food.
Introduction: Craig Watson, Sodexo:
Audio: MP3Paul Willis, Naiman Ranch:
Audio: MP3Robin Sydel, La Montanita Coop:
Audio: MP3Paul Komelasky, Sodexo:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFDenis Jennisch, Sysco:
Audio: MP3Questions and Answers:
Audio: MP3
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. / Panel: Aggregation Models II – Moving the Story with the Product
This is the second of two moderated panels on innovative aggregation models, designed to detail successful strategies for moving more good food.
This panel will focus on the innovative strategies that farmers, aggregators, and buyers are employing to ensure that the Good Food story accompanies the product all the way from the field to the table. More than just good branding, this panel will discuss how Good Food values are incorporated, sustained and communicated through relationships between producers, distributors, buyers and consumers.
Introduction: Karen Karp, Karp Resources:
Audio: MP3Brian Snyder, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFIntroduction: Roger Bowser, Zingermans:
Audio: MP3Scott Exo, Food Alliance:
Questions and Answers:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDF
Audio: MP3
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Peer Consulting Group Sessions
The National Good Food Network Convening will build upon large group sessions with opportunities for group discussions and Q&A with our panelists and other Network practitioners. Each Peer Consulting Session will feature an experienced consultant, expert or panelist, and will be limited to 10 conference participants. These 30 minute sessions will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions or discuss issues with others from the Network.
There will be three 30 minute sessions, featuring conversations on aggregation, distribution, marketing, transportation, food access, policy, etc. The majority of consultants will be pre-selected, although space will be available for interested participants to select and form their own sessions on site at the Convening. Many session leaders will be available for multiple time slots.
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. / Peer Consulting Groups, Session I
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. / Peer Consulting Groups, Session II
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Peer Consulting Groups, Session III
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. / Panel: Good Food for All
Can businesses, nonprofits and social service providers team up to produce and distribute more good food for all? This panel will examine the changing shape of the food access landscape and how the Network—from foundations and other nonprofits to businesses and community leaders—can work together to meet these challenges and expand sustainable access for underserved communities.
Introduction: John Fisk, Wallace Center:
Audio: MP3Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Foundation:
Audio: MP3Ricardo Salvador, W.K. Kellogg Foundation:
Audio: MP3Yael Lehmann, The Food Trust:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFQuestions and Answers:
Audio: MP3
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. / Reception
Our local foods reception will showcase foods from a range of local farms and producers, with an opportunity for informal networking.
Thursday, November 20
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. / Breakfast with Howard Learner
Introduction: Jim Slama, FamilyFarmed.org:
Audio: MP3Howard Learner, Environmental Law and Policy Center
Audio: MP3Questions and Answers:
Audio: MP3
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. / Panel: Putting Value back in the Value Chain
Yesterday they were called supply chains—the integrated elements that moved product from the field to the table in a systematic fashion. Today, we refer to value chains as part of the strategy to ensure that the social and environmental values that we plant take root and end up on the table with the consumer. Panelists will discuss current and ongoing value chain research, and innovative business models based on value chain strategies.
Introduction: James Barham, USDA:
Audio: MP3Steve Stevenson, ATOM:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFRich Pirog, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFAllen Williams, Tallgrass Beef:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFQuestions and Answers:
Audio: MP3
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. / Financial Resources for Food Systems
Engaging greater numbers of producers, value chain enterprises, and consumers in the work to build a new food system will require both significant effort and significant resources. A range of panelists, representing private foundations, social enterprise investors, and government agencies, will discuss the financial resources available to for-profit enterprise and nonprofit organizations to support the work of scaling up to more good food.
Introduction: John Fisk, Wallace Center:
Audio: MP3Don Shaffer, RSF Social Finance:
Audio: MP3Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Coundation:
Audio: MP3Ferd Hoefner, Sustainable Agriculture Coalition:
Audio: MP3 Slides: PowerPoint | PDFRicardo Salvador, W K Kellogg Foundation:
Audio: MP3Questions and Answers:
Audio: MP3
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. / Closing Remarks
Summation and Thoughts: John Fisk, Wallace Center:
Audio: MP3Thanks: John Fisk, Wallace Center:
Audio: MP3
Attendee List
Click here to download the complete attendee list.
