Northeast Indiana Local Food Forum & Expo

Purdue University Fort Wayne,Fort Wayne IN 46815

12 September, 2022

Description

Join us for the 2022 Northeast Indiana Local Food Forum & Expo, Monday, September 12 at Purdue University Fort Wayne. All are welcome! Connect with local farmers, food producers, chefs, educators, community leaders, advocates for community health and sustainability and local consumers and eaters, as we come together to learn and share ideas to grow and connect our local food community. Together, we will explore ways we can collaborate to build a resilient and equitable local food economy in both urban and rural communities across Northeast Indiana. Join us for a full day of inspiring speakers, informative discussions, valuable networking and the best and most locally-sourced lunch in town. Stay for the Local Food After Party from 4-7pm, or join us after work to visit the Local Food Expo and enjoy locally-sourced foods, beverages, and a cash bar, plus much more. Event RegistrationOur registration pricing this year is meant to meet each person where they are. We offer options to GIVE or RECEIVE SUPPORT with your registration selection. Please review the ticket options and select the ticket type that fits your circumstances best. Our Early Bird Registration prices offer a significant savings for those who register by Sunday, August 21. Those who Sign Up to Volunteer during TWO shifts a the Local Food Forum & Expo will receive FREE registration and our gratitude. See more info & sign-up link below. Your registration supports our local food producers. We contribute $5.00 from EACH paid Local Food Forum & Expo Registration to the Northeast Indiana Local Food Scholarship Fund. These scholarships help our local food producers get the training and networking opportunities they need to help their businesses grow and thrive. Event ProgrammingKeynote Presentation: Details coming soon! Breakout Sessions: During morning and afternoon Breakout Sessions, participants will have the opportunities to learn and interact with local experts. Program topics for 2022 include: Farm to School, Food Access, How to Create a Strong Brand, Seed Stewardship, Improving Your Networking Skills, and updates from Local Food Partners across Indiana. Complete details coming soon at NEIfood.org. Poster Session: Local students, organizations and community groups are encouraged to share their work during our informal Poster Session. Posters should highlight a project, program or research that is moving our region towards a more sustainable (environmentally, economically, and community-based) food future. Learn more on our website. Apply to be a presenter during the Poster Session HERE Local Food ExpoVisit exhibitors from local food businesses, farms and food and farming-focused organizations from across Northeast Indiana in our expanded and spacious Expo venue. Find new opportunities to grow your business, network with potential new partners and learn ways to get involved with our local food community. During the Local Food After Party (4-7pm) attendees will explore the Expo and enjoy locally-sourced refreshments and a cash bar. Be an Exhibitor at the Local Food Expo. Register to be a Local Food Expo Exhibitor. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with consumers, wholesale food buyers, farmers, food producers and other local food enthusiasts! Register NOW to reserve a booth for your farm, business, or organization. Our Early Bird Exhibitor Registration price offer a significant savings for those who register by Sunday, August 21. The Local Food Expo will ONLY be open during select times from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and from 4-7 pm to allow Expo Exhibitors to participate in all Local Food Forum programming. See the event schedule for details. PLEASE NOTE: Due to Purdue University rules, Expo Exhibitors are NOT allowed to sell any products during the Local Food Expo. However, Expo Exhibitors are welcome to sample products and share information on where products may be purchased. All food sampling must follow public safety guidelines. Sign up to Volunteer and receive FREE registrationWe're looking for volunteers to help the Local Food Forum & Expo run smoothly. Please consider volunteering your time to help set up, clean up or organize programs throughout the day. Review the list of our Volunteer opportunities and indicate the times you are willing to help. Those who sign up for TWO (2) or more shifts to volunteer will be emailed a Promo Code to receive FREE Registration to the Local Food Forum, as long as volunteer slots are available. Your help is greatly appreciated! Click HERE to sign up. Event Sponsorship If your business and organization is interested in being an Event Sponsor for the 2022 Local Food Forum & Expo, please see details at NEIfood.org or contact Janet Katz at [email protected] or call (260)241-2260. Your generous sponsorship of this event its greatly appreciated. Local Food Forum & Expo Event Schedule8:00 AM: Registration, Conversation & Coffee 9:00 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks 9:30 AM: Keynote with Q&A 10:30 AM: Indiana’s New Local Food Partnerships & Networks 11:15 AM: Morning Breakout Sessions 12:30 PM: Delicious Local Food Lunch with optional Discussion Tables 1:30 PM: Visit Local Food Expo & Poster Session 2:45 PM: Afternoon Breakout Sessions 4:00 PM: Local Food Expo and After Party 7:00 PM: Event Closes. ParkingFREE parking is available in the P2 Parking Garage adjacent to the Walb Union on the Purdue University Fort Wayne campus. Locally-sourced Lunch & RefreshmentsWe source all the ingredients for the Local Food Forum & Expo as locally as possible. The morning refreshments, Local Food Lunch and After Party refreshments will include options for those who eat gluten-free and vegan diets. For more about the Northeast Indiana Local Food Forum & Expo, check out our FAQ's below or visit NEIfood.org. Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's 1.) How can I contact the organizer with any questions? Email your question to Janet Katz, Founding Director of the Northeast Indiana Local Food Network at [email protected] or call (260)241-2260. 2.) What's the refund policy? Full refunds available up through Tuesday, September 6, except for the onset of COVID symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past two weeks, or if you no longer feel comfortable attending a public event, we are happy to refund your registration. The safety of our attendees is our top priority. The Local Food Forum & Expo will follow all public safety guidelines and those from Purdue University. For questions, contact Janet Katz at [email protected] or call (260)241-2260 3.) Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? Please bring your printed ticket or use the Eventbrite app, so we can verify your registration, if needed. 4.) Can I update my registration information? Yes, you can update your registration information up to 72 hours prior to the start of the Local Food Forum & Expo. 5.) What can I expect as a Local Food Expo Exhibitor? Local Food Expo Exhibitors are typically 1) Local businesses, academic institutions, organizations and community groups who provides services or goods to local farmer, food entrepreneurs and consumers and who seek to share information with Local Food Forum & Expo attendees, OR 2) Local farms, food producers, markets or restaurants who are looking to connect with local consumers, food buyers and others from across the region who are interested in local food. Due to Purdue University rules, Expo Exhibitors are NOT ALLOWED TO SELL any products during the Local Food Expo. However, Expo Exhibitors are welcome to SAMPLE PRODUCTS - especially during the Local Food After Party and share information on where products may be purchased. Local Food Expo Exhibitor Registration includes: ONE 6 ft table during Local Food Expo between 8am to 6pm Exhibitors are encouraged to set up their booth between 8-9am. All booths must be ready for visitors by 1:30pm All booths must be fully torn down by 8:00pm Event Registration for ONE attendee. The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network retains the right to refuse any exhibitor or vendor who, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, does not align with the mission of our organization. We need to stress that NO PRODUCTS CONTAINING ALCOHOL may be sampled at Expo Exhibitor booths, as Purdue University only permits the designated bartender for the event to serve alcoholic beverages. 6.) What equipment is provided with each Expo Exhibitor booth? Each booth includes one six-foot table and two chairs. Access to electricity is available, but limited. We will attempt to accommodate all requests for access to electricity, but it is not guaranteed. 7.) Do you offer a Group Registration discount? Yes, we offer group discounts. Please ask your group leader to email [email protected] for details. Organizer: Northeast Indiana Local Food Network The Northeast Indiana Local Food Network works to promote the demand for local food and support local food entrepreneurship across our region. Our mission is to support the growth of a vibrant local food marketplace across Northeast Indiana, by increasing the visibility and economic opportunities for our region’s local food producers and businesses, so they can expand their sales both locally and beyond.