The New York Food Policy Forum: Fresh Ideas for Farms & Food
The event addresses 3 main topics: local farm production; marketing for farmers' and access to healthful, local food for all New York City residents. The forum involves a range of high level experts and advocates from the grassroots, city, state and national levels, seeking to improve the nutritional health of New York City's residents and the economic health of it region's farms, by connecting residents to fresh, locally-grown food.
The New School, and Food Systems Network NYC co-sponsored the event.
Bio
Adrian Benepe
Adrian Benepe has worked for the last 28 years protecting and enhancing New York City's natural and historic beauty. He has continued this effort as Commissioner of the Department of Parks & Recreation, appointed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on January 25, 2002. In this role he has focused on improving park facilities and programs for children, developing new waterfront parks and greenways, and making New York City bloom with millions of new flowers and hundred of gardens.
David Berkowitz
In 2003, David Berkowitz joined the New York Department of Education to head the Department's SchoolFood, as Executive Director. The nation's largest school district, the New York City Department of Education comprises over 1,500 sites, more than 9,000 employees and serves over 860,000 meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon and weekend programs, special events and summer programs throughout the city all fall under David's leadership.
Kathy Lawrence
Katy Lawrence is th former Director of Just Food and its founder. Most recently Kathy served as Executive Director of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. Prior to founding Just Food, she managed education and outreach for the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG).
Kathy holds a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs where she specialized in economic and political development. She has a B.A. in East Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of Kansas. She has also apprenticed on an organic farm in Maine.
Robert Lewis
Robert Lewis is Chief Marketing Representative at the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets. He is responsible for planning and administering statewide programs that promote economic development of NYS agriculture and benefit farmers, consumers, and communities through the establishment of retail and wholesale farmer-to-consumer direct marketing facilities and arrangements.
Before joining the Department of Agriculture and Markets in 1978, Bob co-founded the Greenmarket program in New York City. He is leading the Department's USDA funded NYC Wholesale Farmers Market Study and is involved with the Department's Farm-to-School Program.
Christine Quinn
Christine Quinn is New York City Council Speaker.
Lynn Silver
Lynn Silver is an Assistant Commissioner at the NYC Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention.