The Food for Good Conference was inspired by Congressman James McGovern’s tireless advocacy on behalf of lower-income Americans who struggle to meet their families’ basic nutrition needs every day, and by the everyday debates and decisions, triumphs and frustrations that we face in the field as we stretch resources and forge new partnerships to provide ample, healthy food for our communities. The conference is the result of efforts by a steering committee of anti-hunger leaders and service providers across the state.
The one-day conference begins with an analysis of the problem of food insecurity in Massachusetts and the nation, and an overview of current statewide initiatives already underway. The morning information session sets the stage for the focus of the conference, Cultivating Sustainable Solutions to Hunger in Massachusetts.
The conference is designed around cultivating solutions. The steering committee felt strongly that the event should serve as a launching pad for immediate and direct action and problem-solving - both for individuals in their respective roles as service providers, policy shapers and community leaders, and collectively, as a strong and united statewide network.
Each workshop is designed around a critical goal that has been identified by food security advocates and invites participants to learn about some strategies that have been effective, what barriers might exist, and determine together what the next steps would be to expand or replicate those models and overcome the barriers to achieving the workshop goal.
Another aim of the conference is to share effective and innovative programs from around the state and to encourage interregional dialogue and connections. To that end, we have included a morning and afternoon session entitled “Promising Practices in the Fight Against Hunger,” which provides participants with the opportunity to interact and learn from a wide range of practitioners, organizers and service providers. Attendees will move through a series of short presentations followed by small group discussions at tables featuring ground-breaking programs and projects.
Our lunchtime keynote speaker is Dr. Deborah Frank who will highlight how critical food security is to child nutrition and health. And we close the day by sharing the priorities identified during the workshops, and leave energized by closing remarks from Congressman James McGovern.