Wednesday, June 12th 2024
(130 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208) & Virtual
Josh Stephani
Adirondack Food System Network
Josh is the Food & Farm Hub Manager at Comfort Food of Washington County as well as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Adirondack. He is an active member of the Adirondack Food System Network Steering Committee and has led efforts for the 2023 & 2024 Food Justice Summits. He has worked in agriculture in one way or another for nearly 10 years: developing education, produce prescription, and farmers market support programs to support low-resource communities and regional producers. He holds a Masters of Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a Master of Environmental Studies. Additionally, he is a PhD candidate amplifying the voice of farmers in rural environments.
Speaking In:
Beyond Food Access: Supporting Rural Communities and Producers
Supporting local producers and feeding communities demands stronger collaboration and working on upstream and downstream approaches to improving food access. This presentation will discuss challenges and opportunities in rural food access, specifically related to collaboration to increase NYS products (fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins, dairy, and grains) as well as the constraints of Nourish NY, HPNAP, and New York Food for Families. It will highlight strategies to increase local food procurement and opportunities for stronger and more resilient partnerships with farmers, agencies, and communities.
12:00 p.m.
Froman 301
Opportunities for Food Systems Collaboration
The presenters on this panel engage in innovative advocacy efforts to affect policy change through the formation and engagement of their food-security councils, coalitions, and networks. Hear about the ways in which each approaches the relationship- and trust-building that allow for the most effective collaborations locally and across the state.
2:00 p.m.
Froman 101
Wednesday, June 12th 2024
(130 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208) & Virtual