ORANGE — A network that aims to connect people and resources within the North Quabbin’s food system is planning a local food forum open to the public on June 6.
The Greater Quabbin Food Alliance invites anyone to meet at the Orange Innovation Center at 131 West Main St. from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a gathering of like-minded people interested in environmental health and local sustainability. The food alliance consists of people across Franklin and Worcester counties working for food access and economic vitality.
According to the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, the fiscal sponsor and coordinator of the Greater Quabbin Food Alliance, this gathering will begin with a series of eight five-minute presentations, called “Lightning Talks.” The presentations will be provided by various organizations, including The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Growing Places, Quabbin Harvest Food Co-op, and The Country Store in Petersham.
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust will also present its preliminary findings from the 2017 farmland inventory conducted in Royalston, Templeton, Winchendon and Phillipston. This project is part of an ongoing collaborative initiative by Mount Grace to provide a metaphorical snapshot of farming in each of Mount Grace’s 23 towns and to help towns meet their open space goals. Over the past three years, 14 town inventories have been completed.
Amy Borezo, who explained she is part of the management team at Quabbin Harvest, said the food co-op has participated in the food alliance’s gathering since the beginning. She said she gave a presentation in the fall about ways of diversifying how healthy food is made accessible.
“It’s a great networking tool,” she said.
Jamie Pottern, who manages the farm conservation program at Mount Grace, said the food alliance has held this event biannually since 2013. She said Mount Grace staff members recognized their several regional organizations with missions similar to theirs, but there was no easy way for them to connect and network.
“It’s been a huge success of bringing folks together and sharing ideas,” she said.
Pottern said Grow Orange and Athol Local Food Markets (GOALFM), a grassroots organization committed to expanding Orange and Athol’s access to local food, was born from one of these gatherings, which Pottern said have evolved since 2013.
There will also be time for group discussions regarding reduction of food waste, development of stronger local markets for farmers, improvement of access to farmland and ways to increase local food procurement by institutions. Attendees are encouraged to bring information to share about their organization or upcoming events.
Brianna Drohen, development director at the innovation center, said the center offers free use of its event space and meeting room to nonprofit organizations to promote community development.
According to Mount Grace, The Country Store will provide refreshments and a locally-sourced lunch. Lunch is provided free of charge by Mount Grace, with donations appreciated. Attendees are invited to visit Honest Weight Artisan Beer in the innovation center from 1 to 3 p.m. to purchase a local beverage and learn more about the brewery’s operation.
For more information or to RSVP, visit quabbinfoodalliance.wordpress.com, email farmconservation_americorps@mountgrace.org, or call 978-248-2055, ext. 29.