March 15, 4pm-6pm

University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit

Washington Room

The Springfield Area Local Food Taskforce has re-scheduled the Farmer Focus group that was originally scheduled for December of 2009 but was cancelled due to weather issues. The new date is set for March 15, 4pm-6pm in the Washington Room at the University of Illinois Extension Sangamon-Menard Unit office, located at 2501 North 8th Street
Illinois State Fairgrounds, Bldg #30, Springfield, IL 62702.

We are hosting a focus group on local food production in order to get a better understanding of the issues facing local food producers in the area, and more importantly to gain insight into current barriers and opportunities for local food production from the perspective of farmers. At the focus group there will be no “right” or “wrong” answers and all your answers and input will be confidential. In addition, we will provide all participants with a light dinner at the beginning of the focus group session.

We hope you can join us; the input of local producers is invaluable!

Please RSVP by responding to this email or calling 217-528-1563.

Not a farmer? We still want your help! We need volunteers to help take notes and facilitate the focus group. If you wish to help, please RSVP by responding to this email or calling 217-528-1563 and indicate that you are not a producer but would still like to help with the focus group.

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The Springfield Area Local Food Taskforce

The Springfield Area Local Food Task Force was formed to identify strategies to increase access to locally grown healthy foods by strengthening and building a local food system.  The task force plans to fulfill three goals: 1) conduct an assessment of the current food system, 2) initiate dialogue about local food systems with those with a vested interest in a local food system, and 3) write a comprehensive report providing recommendations to improve and strengthen our local food system.