12/05/2005

Conference to Make the Case for Local Foods

Writer:

Martha Filipic
filipic.3@osu.edu
614-292-9833

Source:

Jeff Sharp, Human and Community Resource Development
sharp.123@osu.edu
614-292-9410

Molly Bean Smith, Social Responsibility Initiative
bean.21@osu.edu
614-688-8798

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Most people have no idea where their food comes from, but many like the idea of locally grown foods. That's one reason why Ohio State University's Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) is sponsoring a Jan. 11 conference, "The Case for Local Food Systems."

The 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. conference will focus on the economic, social and environmental benefits of producing and distributing local foods. It is designed for everyone interested in the topic, including growers, consumers, educators, chefs, farm advocates and community activists.

The most recent biennial Ohio Survey of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Issues found that 59 percent of respondents said they would be willing to pay at least 10 percent more for locally grown foods. And 89 percent said they frequently or occasionally buy locally grown foods, said Jeff Sharp, rural sociologist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and Ohio State University Extension.

Sharp oversees the biennial Ohio Survey, and is one of the coordinators of the conference and will give the keynote address.

Registration for the conference is $25 and includes a lunch composed of locally grown foods. Registration is due by Jan. 3, 2006, and a form is available to download from the Social Responsibility Initiative Web site at http://sri.osu.edu/events.php. Additional information is available from the Web site or by contacting Molly Bean Smith, (614) 688-8798 or bean.21@osu.edu.

The SRI is an initiative of Ohio State's College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

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