Creating a Local Food System in Wake County: Health Advocates to Convene Businesses & Farmers Nov 17

Oct. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Wake County is home to numerous farmers’ markets, CSAs and roadside stands for consumers to buy local food directly from farmers. However, businesses, restaurants and other institutions procuring food do not have an efficient way to connect with local farmers.

On Nov. 17, Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) will host “Connecting the Dots: Creating a Local Food System in Wake County” at the Wake County Commons Building in Raleigh to remedy this problem and begin developing a local food infrastructure to promote economic development while creating a healthier community. AHA invites decision-makers in the Wake County business community who procure foods, as well as farmers, elected officials, land preservation specialists, health and wellness professionals, city and county planners, non-profits supporting the farm to fork movement, and interested community members to the workshop.

Guest speaker Heather Wooten, MCP, of the Planning for Healthy Places Program at Public Health Law & Policy, will share information about how other areas across the country driving economic development through a local food system.  Wooten also will guide the creation of local food infrastructure to serve Wake County.

“AHA supports local farmers and the farm to fork movement because local farmers are integral to a vibrant local food economy leading to a healthy community,” said Laura Aiken, director of AHA and WakeMed Community Outreach. “We are striving to create a local food infrastructure to enable farmers and businesses to work together seamlessly to provide locally grown foods at work place cafeterias, assisted living facilities, restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals and other outlets procuring foods,” Aiken continued. “We’ll also examine how microenterprises such as food trucks, corner stores, incubators, community kitchens and other smaller businesses can play a role.”

Details on the agenda and registration are online at AHA’s web site, www.AdvocatesForHealthInAction.org.  There is a $15 registration fee for the workshop, which includes lunch. Registration is online at http://localfoodsinwakecounty.eventbrite.com/.

About Advocates for Health in Action
Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) fosters and supports community efforts to make healthy eating and physical activity the way of life in Wake County. The AHA collaborative of more than 50 diverse organizations and community members is working to achieve this mission by shaping policy and environments that ensure affordable access to healthful foods and physical activity for all community members. More information is available at www.AdvocatesForHealthInAction.org.