This networking event will showcase local procurement and forward buying contracts and research while matching & connecting local institutions with local food producers. If you work in institutional food procurement (long-term care, health, schools, etc.) and want to serve more local food, OR you are a farmer or food producer looking to connect with institutions looking for local food, this event is for you!

The event will start with presentations on local food procurement research being done in Northern Ontario by Genevieve Sartor, institution and farmer perspectives on local procurement and forward buying contracts, and a presentation from Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance. The second half of the event will be networking and targeted connection activities between food producers and institutions. We hope to create connections that can lead to an increase in local food procurement by institutions in Northwestern Ontario, and to identify any barriers, opportunities and next steps to address.

Lunch will be provided by Pine Tree Catering. Register now!

If you are interested in learning more about the event or the research being done on value chain coordination and local food procurement in Northern Ontario, please contact Genevieve Sartor, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
at Sustainable Food Systems Lab, Lakehead University at gsartor@lakeheadu.ca

This event is being presented in partnership with the Lakehead University Sustainable Food Systems Lab and the Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance.