2014 in Review + How You Can Help
Read on for our top ten ways we're transforming our food system. But before you do (and if you are so inclined) consider making a tax-deductible donation to Renewing the Countryside. We rely on people like you to help us work for better food systems, for stronger communities, and for a healthier planet.
Jan Joannides
Executive Director
Renewing the Countryside
Help us build a healthier food system, more vibrant communities and a brighter future for our planet!
Thanks for your support,
Jan, Brett and the Renewing the Countryside staff and board
FEAST! Festival and Tradeshow
FEAST! - the largest celebration of local foods in the tri-state area will premiere November 2-3, 2014 at the Rochester Civic Center, Rochester, MN. The first day of this two-day event will be open to the public with a Sunday showcase of the best of local food by producers and makers from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. Sunday’s theme will be “Homegrown for the Holidays” and will feature over 150 exhibitor booths, plus a lineup of chef demonstrations, tastings, live music, workshops on healthy eating and holiday cooking, activities for kids, sampling of local beer, wine and craft distillers’ libations for adults. Event-goers will be able to purchase items for holiday gifts or from homegrown holiday cooking.
The public FEAST! event on Sunday will be followed by a trade event on Monday. “Grow It, Make It” will be the theme of this regional conference and tradeshow which is being planned exclusively for food growers, makers and buyers. The conference will offer multiple tracks and will give producers and buyers opportunities to meet, network, discuss sales, and forge supply-chain relationships. A first of its magnitude in the region, this conference will offer buyers workshops and connections to accelerate local sourcing and. The day’s educational workshops will include industry panels providing technical assistance and access to funding opportunities, plus timely, in-demand classes for market-ready producers as well as aspiring farming and food business beginners.
Premiere partners in producing this event include Mayo Clinic, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Renewing the Countryside. A crowd of organizations and food-focused volunteers are busy with the planning. Other organizations and individuals are invited to join as sponsors and volunteers. To learn how you can participate, please contact Jan Joannides at Renewing the Countryside, [email protected] or call 612-251-7304.