The growth of the local food marketplace is dependent not only upon a number of different economic and social factors, but also on a diverse group of stakeholders - from distributors, wholesale buyers and farmers to retailers, consumers and institutional purchasers.
To explore current challenges and opportunities related to growing the local food marketplace in Southern California and beyond, the upcoming 4th Annual Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Conference on November 3 – 4, 2015 at UC San Diego -- http://seedstockconference.com -- will feature a panel entitled “The State of the Local Food Marketplace” that will include a farmers market leader, an expert in local sourcing and distribution, institutional buyers for hospitals and a university, and more! And you’ll have the opportunity to network with them.
Select “State of the Local Food Marketplace” Panelists:
Catt Fields White is the CEO of San Diego Markets, developing thriving farmers’ markets in urban neighborhoods, and consulting with emerging markets throughout San Diego County. She bring farmers to the city and people to the table at three weekly farmers' markets in San Diego, including the Pacific Beach, North Park and Little Italy Farmers’ Markets. She also encourages entrepreneurship and value added opportunities for farmers through monthly Vendor 101 classes.
Bob Harrington is President of Specialty Produce, a food service and retail fresh produce supplier to over 600 restaurants and hotels in San Diego. Bob began his business career in 1977 with the opening of his retail store, La Jolla Produce in La Jolla, California. In 1988 Bob began wholesaling to local restaurants and hotels. Two years later, Bob formed Specialty Produce with his two brothers. Bob sees the value of nurturing the relationships with his customers, farmers and local community, and creating collaboration between them.
Ed Glebus, CEC, is the Associate Director and Executive Chef for SDSU Dining Services at San Diego State University. Ed is influenced by the farm-to-table concept of harvesting natural ingredients at their peak and helping them shine through the use of classical cooking techniques. He has previously held many management positions, including General Manager at CulinArt, overseeing food and beverages for Qualcomm.
Erik Oberholtzer co-founded Tender Greens in 2006 in Culver City, California, a chef driven, organic, quick-casual restaurant concept with 17 locations and counting. Himself a chef, Erik manages a growing team of talent along with some exciting new brands. He is the founder of the Tender Greens Sustainable Life Project, a program aimed to assist at-risk youth develop new skills and career intentions through structured culinary training and farm exposure.
The Discounted Seed Saver Ticket registration deadline is fast approaching and limited tickets are available, so register now to listen to and ask questions of our "State of the Local Food Marketplace" panelists at the 4th Annual Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Conference by clicking on the link below:
Additional Confirmed Speakers:
- Daron "Farmer D" Joffe - Director of Agricultural Innovation at Leichtag Foundation
- Amy McCann - Co-founder and CEO of Local Food Marketplace
- Pierre Sleiman - Founder and CEO of Go Green Agriculture
- Gus Schumacher - Founding Board Chair and Vice President of Wholesome Wave
- Milan Kluko - Founder and President at Green Spirit Farms
- Chris Higgins - General Manager of Hort Americas
- Rishi Kumar - Founder of The Growing Home
- Lauren Blacker - District Manager at Sodexo for Sharp HealthCare
- N. Diane Moss - Executive Director of Project New Village
- Tarek Hijazi - Director of Agriculture and Regulatory Affairs at Sundial Farm
- Lucy Norris - Regional Food Systems Program Director at Ag Innovations
- Robert Tse - State Broadband Coordinator for USDA CA-Rural Development
- Anchi Mei - Senior Program Manager at International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Damian Valdez - Farmer at Seeds@City Urban Farm