Food System Economic Partnership

The third annual FSEP Conference was held April 3, 2008 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Motherhouse in Monroe. Drawing 200 participants from across the region, conference attendees had 20 educational sessions to choose from focused on local food system opportunities in pro­duction, processing, marketing, distribu­tion, sales and consumption of locally grown foods.

Conference participants also enjoyed a lunch prepared by IHM executive chef Patrick Cavanaugh featuring foods from farms and businesses that have received business development assistance through FSEP.

Fresh greens from Goetz Farm in Riga were used in the salad, and partici­pants enjoyed bread from The Henry Ford. Ernst Farm from Ann Arbor pro­vided beef and the MSU Student Organic Farm provided carrots for the soup. Cal­der Dairy, located in Carleton, provided milk and ice cream. The featured foods were supplemented by other locally grown foods to create a memorable meal for conference participants.

The conference offers a unique set­ting for people to learn more about local food system opportunities. It also serves as a venue for networking and develop­ing collaboration across the food system.