Gaines Center’s Lafayette Seminar to Explore Local Food Impact

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2014) — Local food is the focus of the Lafayette Seminar presented by the University of Kentucky Gaines Center for the Humanities. The three-part seminar this fall, beginning Sept. 24, will feature Robert Egger, founder of DC Central Kitchen; a panel discussion on the farm-to-table movement; and a panel discussion on the use of local food in large institutions. All events are free and open to the public. 

Opening this fall's Lafayette Seminar is a talk titled "Revealing the Power of Food" by Robert Egger scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Lyric Theater Community Room.

For over 25 years, Egger has been exploring ways in which food can empower and uplift people, while also stimulating conversation about inclusion and opportunity. A proven leader, dynamic speaker and innovator, Egger is a man on a mission to challenge the way society views community. From Washington D.C., where he founded the DC Central Kitchen, to his new work in Los Angeles, he creates street level solutions that inspire and challenge.

The following week, the Lafayette Seminar will present the panel discussion "Whose Farm to Whose Table? The challenge of enhancing access to local food." This panel discussion will begin 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Lyric Theater Community Room.

A lot of literature these days talks about the benefits of “farm-to-table” agriculture. In practice, “farm-to-table” often means the delivery of local food to local restaurants, farmer's markets or upscale grocers, as well as the delivery of local food to the doorsteps of folks, who can afford to pay upfront for a season’s worth of produce via membership in a CSA. However, not everyone can afford to share the local bounty. How can we broaden access to fresh and healthy local food in ways that make broadening access worthwhile for producers? Panelists for this event are:

• Jim Embry, founder and director of Sustainable Communities Network;
• Karyn Moskowitz, director of New Roots Inc. and the Fresh Stop Project in Louisville;
• Mac Stone, Elmwood Stock Farm; and
• Ashton Potter Wright, local food coordinator for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Rona Roberts, host of "Savoring Kentucky," will serve as moderator.

Closing the fall edition of the Lafayette Seminar will be a second panel discussion, "Thinking Big: Local Food and Large Institutions," at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the William T. Young Library Auditorium and Gallery. This panel discussion will be followed by a reception featuring Kentucky Proud and local ingredients.

Most of the conversation about local food tends to focus on the small scale – farmers’ markets, restaurants and CSAs. But large institutions – businesses, school districts, universities – are getting more interested in local-food provision, as well, and in ways that promise to impact many more producers and consumers. A recent example of this is UK’s new contract with Aramark, which stipulates significant increases in the university’s purchase of local and Kentucky Proud agricultural products. This discussion will look at the opportunities and challenges of local-food provision on the large scale – at UK, in the Commonwealth and nationally. Panelists for this event are:

• Sarah Fritschner, coordinator of Louisville Farm to Table;
• John-Mark Hack, executive director of Local Food Association;
• Lee Meyer, extension professor of agricultural economics at UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment; and
• Tony Parnigoni, region vice president of Aramark Corporation.

Moderator for this panel will be Scott Smith, faculty director of The Food Connection at UK and former dean of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

This fall's seminar is co-sponsored by the Blue Grass Community Foundation, The Food Connection at UK, and the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

Presented annually, the Lafayette Seminar in Public Issues provides an opportunity for Lexington community members, elected officials, and faculty and students to discuss issues facing the community. Previous topics have explored the local economy, town and gown relations, community gardening, public art and the creation of successful downtown spaces.

Part of the Academy of Undergraduate Excellence within the Division of Undergraduate Education, the Gaines Center for the Humanities is designed to enrich the study of the humanities as an intellectual activity and as a means to self-betterment. The center offers courses and sponsors activities that appeal to faculty and students in all disciplinary fields.

For more information about the 2014 Lafayette Seminar, contact the Gaines Center at 859-257-1537.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu