Growing Healthy Communities: Impact of Food Policy and Regional Food System Management on Health

The Missouri Foundation for Health’s Food Policy Conference will occur during the second day of the Missouri Organic Association’s Annual Conference on Feb 6-8 at the University Plaza in Springfield, MO.  This full day of presentations and dialogue on the importance of managing regional food systems will begin at 7:30 am and continue through an evening meal of organic products.  Discussions will center on: Purposeful Community management of food access issues; and ways that Food Policy Councils can play a key role in encouraging the health of a community.

This conference would be helpful for community planners, government officials, public health advocates or healthcare practitioners to develop an understanding of the associations between food policy, food system management and health outcomes.  Topics include:

•       Increase knowledge about food systems management and implications to health

•       Demonstrate the need for healthy community engagement over food and agriculture policy

•       Food issues

•       Identify social justice implications of the existing food system

•       Understand the implications of lack of purposeful food system management on our health

•       Identify the potential impact that food policy councils can have on the health of a community

•       Demonstrate the relationship between food policy and healthy food access.

Agenda

7:30-7:50 am – Registration and Coffee

7:50-8:00 am – Opening Remarks: Angela Jenkins, RD/LD Project Coordinator, Ozarks Regional Food Policy Council (ORFPC)

8:00-9:00 am – Dr. Meera Scarrow, “Creating Optimal Health for Our Communities”

9:00-10:00 am – Melinda Lund RD/LD, “Health Implications of an Industrialized vs. Local Food Systems”

10:00-11:00 am – Dr. Paul Durham, “Epigenetics: Exploring the Impact of Nutrition on the Regulation of our Genes”

11:00-12:00 am – Patty Cantrell, Director of Healthy Living Alliance (HLA)/ YMCA, Significance of Support for Regional Food Systems on Health”

Noon – 1:00 pm – Lunch (On Your Own)

1:00-2:00 pm – Angela Jenkins, RD/LD, Project Coordinator ORFPC, “Review of Efforts since Inception”

2:00-2:30 pm – Dr. Dr. Francis Thicke, “Experiences from Iowa State Food Policy Council”

2:30-3:00 pm – Stephanie Currao, Food Systems Specialist, YMCA, “State Organizational Efforts of MoCAN Food Systems Workgroup”

3:00-4: 30 pm – Mark Winne, “Food Policy Councils: Putting Democracy to Work for Stronger Local Food Systems”

Additional Information:

•       Book Signing with Mark Winne following his presentation.

•       Registration is $75. Discount rate of $65 if you register before January 15, 2013.

•       Please stay for the “Meet the Farmer Reception,” featuring a fantastic meal comprised of local organic & sustainably produced foods immediately following the Workshop (included in registration cost).

•       7 CEU’s have been applied for Dietitians.

To register for the Food Policy Conference go to http://www.moaconference.org/mht-one-day-food-policy-conference-registration. For inquiries regarding the conference contact Angela Jenkins RD/LD, 417-827-3851.