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2018 National Good FoodNetwork Conference
March 27-30, 2018 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico food systems leaders share their observations and experiences during the “Dynamics of Multi-Cultural Collaboration in the New Mexico Food System” plenary.
The Wallace Center’s fourth biennial National Good Food Network Conference brought 450 food system leaders from across the United States to Albuquerque, New Mexico for three and a half days of sharing inspirational ideas, building professional connections, and learning practical skills and innovative approaches for creating resilient and inclusive food systems across the United States. This Conference built on our previous focus on food hubs to include other links in the good food value chain to best examine how authentic, equitable, and accountable partnerships can increase the impact of our work. Food hub managers, nonprofit staff, consultants, researchers and business owners came together to learn from each other’s efforts to make healthy, affordable, and sustainably-produced food an everyday reality in every community.
Thank you to our 2018 sponsors and New Mexico partners who helped make this happen:
Planning is underway for the 2020 Conference. Become a sponsor today and help us make it accessible for all.Contact Ellie Bomstein: [email protected]
Farm CreditUSDA Agricultural Marketing ServiceCoBankThe Duke EndowmentThe 11th Hour ProjectThe Thornburg FoundationCalifia FarmsMcCune Charitable FoundationCouncil of Development Finance AgenciesHudson Valley AgriBusiness Development CorpMichigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
Ohio State University InFACTDAISAColorado State UniversityLocal Food MarketplaceRed TomatoVeritable VegetableThe Surdna FoundationWK Kellogg FoundationThe Kresge FoundationSustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders
Food StaffBusinesses
6%
“Superb caliber attendees who seamlessly contribute to breakout sessions’ content.”
ATTENDEEBREAKDOWN
Food Hub Staff25%
Non-ProfitStaff and
Advocates19%
Value ChainCoordinator
10%
Educatorsand Academics
10%
GovernmentStaff & Investors
9%
Other6%
Consultant, Technical Assistance Provider
15%
“These conferences contribute a lot to this industry, and it
gives everyone an opportunity to connect, put aside the daily
operational micro-view in favor of the bigger picture and
make connections that will perpetuate and benefit all.
I recommend these to everyone in food looking for resources
and am so thankful to have the opportunity to attend!”
Karen Spiller of Food Solutions New England opens the Conference by inviting attendees to take part in FSNE’s 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge.
Michael Rozyne of Red Tomato shares what profound personal differences taught him about collaboration.
433attendees
304organizations
All 50 states, rural, urban, and tribal countries
4.25/5average
attendee rating
CONFERENCESTATS:
124speakers
23breakout sessions
3plenary panels
3keynotes
11expert-ledworkshops
63free consulting
sessions
5site visits
3.5days
–––––––––––––––
ATTENDEESDESCRIBED THE CONFERENCE
AS:
humbling
inspiring
diverse
informative
grounded
invigorating
nuanced
The 2018 NGFN Conference had a core focus on collaborations and partnerships in the food system. Attendees heard from speakers on topics ranging from keeping a food hub’s finances in order, to building community power through food, to how to start an incubator kitchen.
70% of attendees were first time NGFN Conference goers, which reflected our goal of attracting new audiences.
Attendees rated the value of the networking connections they made
at the conference as 4.4/5
Over 60% of attendees said they planned to follow up
with more than 5 new people they met at the conference
“I’ve gotten several resources through conference connections. These will allow us to solve issues in our
hub that we weren’t sure how to manage.”
Participants of the full and half day workshops covered topics like maximizing the effectiveness of food policy councils, mapping value chains, and strategic planning with purpose.
Site visit attendees learned about the traditional community-operated water sharing system of acequias, visited La Montanita Food Hub (who also provided local food for the event!), and spent time at the incubator kitchen at the South Valley Economic Development Center that provides technical assistance and workspace for startup food businesses.
“I thought this conference did an exceptionally good job at bringing in and featuring local native populations. It was a good wake up call for those of us unfamiliar to pay more attention and work to better understand the food sovereignty challenges that
are specific to those living on or near reservations.”
“I met incredible people doing suchgood and inspiring work.”
“I had a chance to hear stories that were inspirational and learn
about opportunities in the future.”
Innovative and inspirational New Mexico farmer Don Bustos and New Mexico Acequia Association’s Paula Garcia discuss the uniqueness of New Mexico, its opportunities and challeng-es, and the integration of economics with social justice in food and farming collaboration. (left)
Our Commitment to Racial Equity:
“We at the Wallace Center are making the commitment to fostering solutions to address inequity and injustice across
the value chain. We have made an intentional effort to bring a racial equity framework to this year’s conference through the selection of sessions and speakers that focus explicitly on racial equity and inclusion. This is not a one-shot deal,
but a step towards deepening our own organizational commitment and to integrating it into all of our work.”
– John Fisk, Wallace Center Director of
Strategy and Partnerships
What to expect in 2020:
The 2020 National Good Food Network Conference will expand on the success of our last four conferences
and continue to build the capacity of local food organizations and businesses with a renewed focus on
equity and community development. The next Conference will take place in New Orleans, LA and we look forward
to highlighting the rich and dynamic food culture of the region. We hope to see you there!
Interested in 2020 sponsorship?
Reach out to [email protected].
About the Wallace Center:
The Wallace Center develops partnerships, pilots new ideas, and advances solutions
to strengthen communities through resilient farming and food systems.
www.wallacecenter.org
