In case you’re not familiar with it, TEDx Manhattan “Changing the Way We Eat,” is a one-day conference featuring a dynamic and diverse group of speakers addressing issues in the sustainable food and farming movement. To bring in a local element, I’ll be bringing together local food experts to speak during breaks in the webcast, plus some amazing local food entrepreneurs, including Fruitcycle, Urban+Ade by Evensong Farm and Sprout Kitchen Gardens, who have graciously offered to donate snacks and beverages. Sweetgreen has gone above and beyond my wildest dreams by agreeing to provide salad for the first 100 people who RSVP by Friday, Feb. 27th.
I feel so lucky to have this diverse and dynamic group speaking:
- Pam Hess of the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, which is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system in the Washington, DC area
- Amos Desjardins, an ultra marathon runner who ran 500 miles in Virginia to raise awareness for hunger and food insecurity
- Tom McDougall of 4P Foods, who believes that businesses have the ability and the responsibility to use their economic engines to drive, real, lasting positive social change
- Zach Lester of Tree and Leaf Farm, a food visionary, farmer and lover of all things related to soil, in honor of 2015 being declared the Year of Soils by the UN General Assembly
- Elizabeth O'Connell of Green America who will talk about the hidden labor costs in the food we eat that is grown both internationally and domestically
Why am I doing this? There are so many reasons. As I have heard many people say over the years, “We are all eaters” and "We vote with our forks." Food touches all of us regardless of race, gender, political affiliation, socio-economic or marital status. We make choices multiple times a day that have a far reaching impact on our food system. This system is severely broken and is in need of creative and innovative solutions that will literally change the way we, and generations to come, eat.
Food is also the gateway to tackling many of our most pressing issues – climate change, obesity, food waste, food insecurity, social justice, water, soil, sustainable farming and more. All of these things can be addressed through the lens of food.
At the very core of my being I am a connector. I connect people through ideas, stories, marketing initiatives and partnerships that move the needle and make this world a better place. My hope is to bring together those who also care about these important issues surrounding food to meet and connect with others who share these interests. To shine a light on creative and innovative ways others are creating change.
Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. This is one small way I can do just that.
To join me, reserve your free ticket and get more information, go here.