Eat local, buy local, grow local!
In the face of the huge challenges to worldwide food supplies posed by
climate change, diminishing oil, gas and water supplies, we need to
re-think the way we will feed ourselves in the future.
The aim of the conference was to bring together people concerned about our
access to locally produced, sustainable food supplies, to explore the issues
and develop responses.
From home gardening to commercial production, all levels of food supply matter.
Speakers:
Ben Reynolds – Network Director of Sustain (Alliance for Better Food and Farming); Ken Kelso – local organic farmer. Transition Ely’s Mary Ann Swanson gave an excellent introduction to Transition. Mikey Tomkins was unwell and unfortunately unable to attend.
The event was opened by James Paice, MP for S.E. Cambridgeshire.
All the speakers were excellent and inspired many questions and fascinating discussion during the afternoon Open Space sessions. Lots of ideas were generated for action at the
Food Group follow-up meeting – Sunday 15th November 1.30 to 3.30pm at Ely Library, all welcome. A chance to start some practical projects!
Themes discussed included:
- How can we access more locally produced food?
- How can we intervene, and play a greater role, in our local food system?
- How can we connect with, and support, local food retailers?
- How can we connect with, and support, local farming?
- How might peak oil and climate change impact our local food system?
- What is our hope for the future?
[...] village. Thinking about this I came across Transition Ely initiative, the Ely Food Group and the Ely Food Conference – October 31st 2009 – which will be exploring how people can reconnect with, and regain [...]