2025 Conference Recap

Presenters: Erica Paine, Chiesi USA + Allison McGee, Feeding Southwest Virginia (VA) + Maria Bowman, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank (VA) + Liz Hatzenbuehler, Food & Healthy Policy – Boston (MA) + Dr. LaPorchia Collins, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University (MA)

This panel highlighted innovative population-level healthy food programs—from Produce Prescription initiatives to Medically Tailored Groceries—and their growing impact on nutrition and disease management. Speakers shared real-world successes, policy insights, and challenges, inspiring attendees to design community‑centered programs that build trust and improve health outcomes.

Video Link:

• Part 1: Ag Conference 11/06/25 – Chiesi Food as Medicine Breakout Session Part 1
• Part 2: Ag Conference 11/06/25 – Chiesi Food as Medicine Breakout Session Part 2
• Part 3: Ag Conference 11/06/2025 Chiesi Food as Medicine Breakout Session Part 3

Session Documents & Links:

• Virginia Food as Medicine Plan
• Medicaid Nutrition Supports Associated with Reductions in Hospitalizations and ED Visits in Massachusetts, 2020-2023
• Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, Maximizing the Impact of Nutrition Interventions with Local Procurement

Presenters: Leigh Ann Hammerbacher, Triangle Land Conservancy (NC) + Heather Szaro, Triangle Land Conservancy (NC) + Kierra Hyman, Triangle Land Conservancy (NC) + Amy Ballard, City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources (NC)

This session examined creative strategies to overcome land‑access barriers in community agriculture, highlighting approaches such as long‑term leases, land trusts, and the activation of unconventional growing spaces. Attendees gained practical policy tools and partnership models to help unlock underused land—especially for communities historically excluded from agricultural opportunities.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/llkUniFgNfk

Presenters: Margaret Burn, Lowcountry Food Bank (SC) + Victoria Smalls, Gullah Community (SC) + Joseph and Helen Fields, Gullah Farmers (SC) + Gary Besaw, Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition (WI) + Kara Black, Tribal Elder, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

This session explored how culturally rooted foods nurture both physical and mental well‑being while reinforcing identity, heritage, and community pride. Through storytelling and shared experiences, attendees learned how diverse regions and cultures are preserving their foodways and strengthening nutrition security.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/W-91eYkAjsQ

Presenters: Charles Parrish, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (NC) + Carter Crain, Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC + Athan Barkoukis, Farmer Food Share (NC) + Colleen Hanlon-Smith, Peak Season (MA) + Larry Davis, Davis Farms Sandy Creek (NC)

This session explored how farmers and food institutions can build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships through fair pricing, transparent communication, and creative purchasing models that make use of surplus produce. Attendees also learned how circular‑economy approaches can reduce waste, support farmers, and strengthen community food access.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/K0pGCgNlHA4

Presenters: Heidi Coe, Second Harvest Heartland  (MN) + Tom Mainzer, Feeding Pennsylvania + Greta Klawiter-Lein, Augsburg University (MN) + LeBroderick Woods, Tougaloo College (MS)

This session highlighted the unique role colleges and universities can play in advancing nutrition security, food sovereignty, and food justice by leveraging campus land, Extension programs, and community partnerships. Attendees explored successful collaborations between higher‑ed institutions, food banks, and local organizations that use academic resources and agricultural spaces to support both students and surrounding communities.

Video Link:

• Part 1: https://youtu.be/0TkYlVIThgw
• Part 2: https://youtu.be/Q_OQJwmS-vw
• Part 3: https://youtu.be/V-j6egPc6WE

Presenters: Tyler Edwards, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (DC) + Marguerite Green, Louisiana Food Policy Council + Colleen Hanlon-Smith, Farm2Neighbor Maine

This session explored how local agriculture programs can navigate shifting policy and funding landscapes by refining advocacy strategies, rebuilding support, and amplifying the voices of growers and community partners. Attendees gained practical tools for coalition‑building, engaging policymakers, and using data to strengthen the case for restored and sustained funding.

Video Link: Ag Conference Breakout Session 6

Session Documents: Remaining Resilient

Presenters: Trevor Hyde, Wake County Cooperative Extension (NC) + Athan Barkoukis, ED Farmer FoodShare (NC) + Kendall Kirk, Nourished Rx + Isis Villegas Eynon, FreshConnect, Gleaners Food Bank (IN) + Rikkeya Feggans, Feeding America

This session walked participants through the full lifecycle of building an effective Food Is Medicine program—from sourcing fresh produce and designing medically tailored food packages to partnering with healthcare providers and measuring health outcomes. Attendees gained practical guidance on funding, nutrition education, and aligning program design with both patient needs and healthcare system priorities.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/Wjqwj8s3RC0

Presenters: Alexa Poindexter, Ozarks Food Harvest  (MO) + Jessica Allen, Ozarks Food Harvest  (MO)+ Lynn Conyers, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (NC) + G4E Neighbor, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

This session showcased how food banks and community organizations empower neighbors to grow their own food by providing training, culturally responsive resources, and practical tools rooted in asset‑based community development. Attendees heard examples from Ozarks Food Harvest and the Food Shuttle, learning how garden kits, plant distributions, workshops, and technical assistance can strengthen community-led growing efforts.

Video Link:

• Part 1: https://youtu.be/wTkJ1ebh4JQ
• Part 2: https://youtu.be/dqsAjS0uWLA
• Part 3: https://youtu.be/FvtQkLZtgag

Session Documents: SOP for a Community Plant Distribution