What is the future of food? That’s a question Vermonters have been asking – and answering – throughout the state’s history. Never has that question – and those answers – been more important.
The Washington Post Live has started a national conversation on the future of food with its “Future of Food: Food Security in the 21st Century” series. That conversation came to Vermont on July 27. Speakers included:
- Chuck Ross, Secretary, Vermont Department of Agriculture
- Will Raap, founder and chairman of Gardener’s Supply Company
- Marie Audet, farmer at Blue Spruce Farm
- Rob Michalak, global director of social mission at Ben & Jerry’s
- Ellen Kahler, executive director at Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and program director for Vermont Farm to Plate
- Katherine Sims, founder and executive director of Green Mountain Farm to School
Our UVM food systems team was in attendance – and here is some of the wisdom and learning they gathered (in 140 characters, of course!). Check out the full conversation at the hashtag #thinkfood, or view the conference video by clicking here.
“We may be small, but we think big + differently in #VT.” -Gary Wheelock at #thinkfood @thepostlive #food
“The cell phone has put the power in the hands of consumers.” -Sec. Chuck Ross of #VT at #thinkfood @thepostlive #foodsafety
“Look at the food system as a driver of a new economy.” -Will Raap at #thinkfood @thepostlive #vt
Institutional support, food hubs + small-scale ag are key drivers of food innovation + local food consumption in #vt #thinkfood @thepostlive
Will Raap: “#vt is a compost pile of ideas to improve local food system” #bvt #thinkfood
“In the next 40 years, we will need to produce as much food as we have in the last 8,000 years.” -Will Raap at #thinkfood #vt@thepostlive
“Changing frames: looking at waste as an input.” -Sec Chuck Ross at #thinkfood #vt @thepostlive #cowpower
“We’re not only in a transitioning food system, but also a transitioning #energy system.” -Will Rapp #thinkfood #vt @thepostlive
Marie Audet says 4 cow power farms in her community create 30% of baseload power in the community #ThinkFood
Farmers are ultimate recyclers RT @EnglandLE: Marie Audet says dairy farmers are proud to be producing milk sustainably. #thinkfood
Ross: Why next generation goes into farming? Being part of the food system is being a part of the solution in the 21st century #ThinkFood
Did you know? 10% of food in Vermont is produced locally#goodwork #thinkfood
“Caring Dairy” helps dairy farmers work in a sustainable, successful way with @benandjerrys– Rob Michalak #thinkfood
“Agricultural development is economic development” – Ellen Kahler, VSJF #thinkfood
“Three Cs of Farm-to-School: classroom, cafeteria, community…Create life-long consumers of local food” -Katherine Sims #thinkfood #vt
Believe it or not, Kale Chips are popular in #vt schools-Katherine Sims Green Mtn Farm to School. Who knew? #ThinkFood
Very cool to hear about forthcoming mobile farmers market in #vt from Katherine Sims at #thinkfood 🙂 #fooddeserts
“Three most important things we do every day: breakfast, lunch, dinner.” -Katherine Sims at #thinkfood #vt
