The Dish III: Global Foods, Local Perspectives

In this third installment of The Dish series, our topic was “Global Foods, Local Perspectives”. For me, it was another fine example of Vermonters putting their values on the line, even if it means wrestling with some challenging questions. As a community that places a high value on local food and the farmers who grow it, while at the same time cherishing delicious global foods that we will never realistically grow locally (think coffee, chocolate and avocadoes), how can we make informed, value-driven decisions when purchasing those global foods? We can sum up the evening’s conclusion with three simple words: Tell a story. Read more

The Dish: Global Foods, Local Perspectives

Wednesday, December 3, 2014
5:30pm – 7:00pm
ArtsRiot, 400 Pine St

Doors open at 5:00pm
Cash bar. Snacks provided by Starbird Fish, Blue Bandana Chocolate Maker, Equal Exchange and City Market

Food Solutions New England’s A New England Food Vision is a bold vision for what New England’s local food economy might look like if it were able to provide 50% of clean, fair, just and accessible food for New Englanders by 2050. But what about the other 50%, including favorite global foods like coffee, chocolate, tropical fruit and others? We hope to have a fun, uplifting holiday conversation about the opportunities and possibilities of a global food system that operates with the same values as a community-based food system. Learn how Vermont-based food businesses are investing in global sustainability -- and what to look for when buying sustainable edibles this holiday season!

Sponsored by ArtsRiot

FREE! $5 suggested donation to benefit the Intervale Center accepted online or at the door. RSVP on Facebook or by emailing ttaylor@citymarket.coop.

RSVP Donate to Intervale Center

Meet the Panel

Martha Caswell - UVM Researcher: food security in coffee-growing communities
Jacob Davignon - UVM and Rainforest Alliance
Eric Lampman - Chocolate Maker at Blue Bandana/Lake Champlain Chocolates
Tony Naples - Captain/Owner at Starbird Fish
Lynn Ellen Schimoler - Store Manager at City Market

Moderated by Joe Speidel, University of Vermont

Meet Our Moderator

Joe Speidel is the Director of Local Government and Community Relations at UVM and has also held positions on campus in Career Services, the Development and Alumni Relations Office, and been involved with the Food Systems Initiative. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology and Bachelor of Arts degree at Boston College, and a Master of Education degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at UVM. He completed the Snelling Center’s Vermont Leadership Institute program in 2009.

Joe’s volunteer involvement includes the United Way of Chittenden County, the ECOS Project, the Parallel Justice Commission, the Burlington Sustainability Partnership, and Vermont Stage Company.