WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21
CHICAGO GREEN DRINKS
Topic: From Farm to Plate: Chicago Food Policy Issues
Time: 5:30-9:00pm; Moderated discussion from 7:00-8:00pm
Location: Jefferson Tap & Grille, 325 N. Jefferson (view map)
Cost: $5 ($2 student/low income, or support Green Drinks with a "Friend of Foresight" donation of $20+)
Age: 21+ as required by state law
Registration: No registration necessary
Contact: greendrinks@foresightdesign.org, (773) 271-1990

http://www.foresightdesign.org/events/#gd

Details: Grow, harvest, process, transport, and distribute. The food we consume takes these steps "from farm to plate," but the process is far from simple. Who are the players and what are the options? What policies guide the course of action? What are the roles and impacts of organic farming, family farms, and community supported agriculture (CSA)? Join us for a lively discussion with three insightful panelists, delving into the heart of Chicago-area food policy issues.

Panelists: Jim Braun
Co-Founder, Illinois Farmer-Consumer Coalition
Until 6 years ago, Jim Braun was a 5th generation farmer. He has served the boards of various farm organizations, political parties, as well as institutions and organizations of social concern. He has worked with both state and federal governments to promulgate rules and to draft legislation. In Illinois, he is co-founder of the Illinois Farmer-Consumer Coalition, which is an affiliation of social, economic, environmental, faith based, public health, and farm organizations. He is co-drafter of Illinois HB 1300, is working for enactment of local food provisions in the Federal Farm Bill, and is working with the Muslim community in Chicago to enhance an Illinois farmer-consumer Halal food network.

Irv Cernauskas
Co-Founder, Irv & Shelly's Fresh Picks
Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks, an organic delivery service in Chicago, works with a variety of local sustainable farms to bring healthy, fresh food to people’s homes all year-round. Irv started the business with his wife Shelly to build the infrastructure for a local food system and to rebuild the connection between Chicago and surrounding farms. He has been involved with nonprofit environmental activities for the past 10 years and currently holds Board Member positions with The Land Connection and Seven Generations Ahead.

Warren King
General Manager, Goodness Greeness
Goodness Greenness is the largest supplier of organic food in the Midwest Region. Its General Manager, Warren King, has twenty-five years of experience in agri-business that includes strategic planning, international business development, market analysis, consulting and sales. Warren has been involved with the local and sustainable food movement as a consultant and currently is a board member of Sustain and Seven Generations Ahead. He and his family continue to support local family farmers through their CSA membership. Warren’s passion for the land is rooted in his Northern California upbringing and his work on the farm as a young man. He possesses an MBA in Marketing from the Kellstadt School of Management at DePaul University and in 2000 was honored with the Illinois Alumni Recognition Award for his volunteer work and fund raising achievements for local 4-H.