via Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
December 13, 2024 (Friday)
Event Title: PA FPC Quarterly Meeting & Co-Convening of PA Hunger Action Coalition
Time: 10am to 4pm Location: Fellowship Hall of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011 Register here. Please RSVP by Monday, December 9th if you plan to attend in person and want to join for lunch. The Microsoft Teams link for virtual participation will be posted to the PA Department of Agriculture’s Meeting Notices before the meeting.
Description: I have been working closely with Stuart Haniff, Executive Director of Hunger Free PA and Advisory Committee member, to co-convene our aligned gatherings as part of a day-long in-person event. We will begin with the PA Food Policy Council’s last quarterly meeting of 2024, followed by lunch and the biannual meeting of the PA Hunger Action Coalition. All are welcome to join the day’s events. A virtual option will be posted on the Meeting Notices website for those who are not able to attend in person.
Overview of the Day
9:30-10am Arrival; program to start at 10am sharp 10am to 12pm PA Food Policy Council Quarterly Meeting
* 10-11am: ”Roundtable on Food Security” with Secretary Russell Redding (Agriculture), Secretary Kavulich (Aging), Catherine Stetler (Special Advisory to DHS Sec Arkoosh), and other invited guests
* 11am-12pm: PA FPC Business to close out 2024
Noon-1pm Lunch* provided by Hunger Free PA, convenor of the PA Hunger Action Coalition. Invited to contribute $10 to offset cost.**
1 to 4pm PA Hunger Action Coalition Biannual Meeting
* If you plan to attend in-person and join us for lunch, kindly RSVP with any dietary restrictions to Stuart Haniff at shaniff@pafoodbanks.org by close of business on Thursday, December 5th.
** Hunger Free PA convenes the PA Hunger Action Coalition (PHAC) which comprises dozens of anti-hunger, religious, anti-poverty, and other nonprofit organizations working not only to fight hunger but also to address the underlying policy issues that perpetuate food insecurity.
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PA Food Policy Council at the 2025 PA Farm Show!
🌟January 9, 2025 (Thursday)
Event Title: Showcasing Excellence in Urban Agriculture
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: Keystone Conference Center’s Allegheny and Monongahela Rooms located in the PA Farm Show Complex Register here. Cost: Free entry, $15 parking
Description: Join us for a historic in-person convening of urban agriculture practitioners, policy makers and resource experts as we collaborate to strengthen urban agriculture across the Commonwealth. Bring your energy, ideas and recommendations to build a sustainable sub-sector. This event will be held at the 2025 Farm Show. PA’s State Fair! This event is organized by the Urban Agriculture Workgroup of the PA Food Policy Council.
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🌟January 10, 2025 (Friday)
Event: Powering Pennsylvania’s Food Future: A Summit for Local & Regional Food Policy Councils
Time: 9:30 AM to 3 PM Location: Keystone Conference Center’s Allegheny and Monongahela Rooms located in the PA Farm Show Complex Register here. Cost: Free entry, $15 parking
Description: Food Policy Councils (or FPCs) bring together stakeholders from various sectors of the food system in person to analyze and recommend improvements for how food systems operate. These councils may take different forms, often being either commissioned by state or local government, or primarily driven by grassroots efforts. In 2022, Pennsylvania established its first state food policy council through a Governor’s Executive Order. Additionally, the Commonwealth is home to more than a dozen local and regional councils that work to develop strategies and advocate for policies that promote affordable, accessible, equitable, sustainable, and healthy food systems. This Summit will gather food policy councils and partners from across Pennsylvania for an engaging and informative program aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing insights to shape the future of the state’s food landscape. This event will be held at the 2025 PA Farm Show. PA’s State Fair! This event is organized by the members of the PA FPC Advisory Committee and leaders of the Montgomery County, Pittsburgh and Lehigh Valley Food Policy Councils, and the Cumberland County Food Systems Alliance.