2026 Schedule

SESSION 1: November 5th  |  9:00 am

“Scaling Smarter: How to Make the Right Decisions for your Food Bank Growing Program”

Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Solutions for Urban Agriculture (SFUA) used data to build a successful partnership through Harvest Solutions, a 40-acre farm program growing fresh produce for community members experiencing food and nutritional insecurity. Robust farm data helped partners identify the most meaningful metrics to make strategic decisions and optimize outputs. With a real-time demonstration and interactive data exercise, you’ll come away with insights on scaling farm operations – both up and down – to align with volunteer capacity, optimizing staff resources, and leveraging data tracking for strategy and fundraising.

Presenters:

• Ryan Yamauchi, Executive Director, Solutions for Urban Agriculture: nonprofit data platform
• Hannah Ortiz, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

SESSION 2: November 5th  | 10:45 am

“From Greenhouse to Food Distribution: Building Stronger Local Food Systems”

An interactive session sharing experiences incorporating greenhouse operations into programs designed to address food access and strengthen local communities. Attendees will learn about successes, challenges, funding, community buy-in, and scalability – and work through a tabletop exercise to evaluate key questions involved in pursuing a similar model, including operational needs, partnerships, resources, goals, and distribution considerations. The session will conclude with audience questions and discussion.

Presenters:

• Nate Donley, Horticulturist and Tech Support Lead, CropKing
• Trevor Horn, Director, Mid-Ohio Food Collective Farm
• Clara Parrish, Manager, Dayton Food Bank Farm
• Bryan Wallbridge, Operation Coordinator, Dayton Food Bank Greenhouse
• Charles Parrish, VP Agriculture, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

SESSION 3: November 5th  |  10:45 am

“Growing the Next Generation: Youth Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Our Future Workforce”

This session also features content and conversation related to the Return Voice session track.

How can we ensure local food systems will continue and thrive in the future? Hear from current and recent students with organizations like FFA, 4-H, and MANNRs about how to encourage young people to enter the agriculture industry and keep them hooked for life.

Presenters:

• To be announced

SESSION 4: November 5th  |  2:00 pm

“The Economics of Local Food Systems: Balancing Incentives and Imperatives Between Farmers and Food Banks”

This session also features content and conversation related to the Return Voice session track.

What do food banks and farmers need to understand about each other’s realities to become true allies in strengthening local food systems? How can we balance fair compensation with responsible purchasing – especially when grant dollars run out? This session seeks to bridge the gap between differing incentives and showcases innovations that can help. Through role-play scenarios and tabletop exercises, attendees will gain greater mutual understanding and start to build win-win strategies for farmers and food banks alike.

Presenters:

• Mitch Hagney, San Antonio Food Bank
• Brielle Wright, The Farmers Bag/National Black Growers Council
• Donald Hines, Hines Family Farms
• L. Ron Pringle, CEO, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle

SESSION 5: November 5th  |  2:00 pm

“From Waste to Soil Health: Composting and Circular Models Food Banks Can Use”

This session also features content and conversation related to the Improve Health session track.

The art, science, and sustainability of composting: key questions on replicable models, sources of funding, balancing technical expertise with community lived experience, and placing farmers and communities at the center of solutions. Speakers will share their experience and join tables for deeper dives.

Presenters:

• James Hoffer, Green Bean Dream
• Frank Franciosi – US Composting Council – Executive Director (Retired)
• Jorge Montezuma – Wanu Organics & Compost Capital Network – Founder & Principal Consultant

This conference track will seek to answer the question: “How do we strengthen the connection between agriculture and health outcomes?” Sessions will feature content on produce prescriptions, medically tailored meals/groceries, clinical partnerships, reimbursement pathways, culturally responsive nutrition education, and practical measurement frameworks.

SESSION 1:  November 5th  |  9:00 am

“Produce Prescriptions in Practice: What Food Banks Need to Know About Healthcare Partnerships”

Practical insights on designing and implementing a successful food-is-medicine initiative. How the Veggie Rx produce prescription program by Rush University and partners navigated funding, community buy-in, partnerships with local suppliers and food banks, and strategies for long-term sustainability and scalability. Through interactive discussion and real-world examples, participants will leave with practical strategies for building effective partnerships and aligning stakeholders across their community to advance food-as-medicine initiatives.

Presenters:

• Dr. Julia S. Bassett, Rush University, Director, Food Is Medicine and Veggie Rx Program
• Connor Loach, Top Box Foods, last-mile produce prescription box delivery
• Sunny Grothaus, Shared Value and Sustainable Business Partner, Chiesi Health

SESSION 2: November 5th  |  10:45 am

“Food as Medicine in Rural Communities: Building Trusted Pathways from Food Access to Care”

This session also features content and conversation related to the Return Voice session track.

The people growing the food are often the most vulnerable and hardest to reach with food and health assistance. This session asks how to identify your most vulnerable community members and understand what you need to reach them. It includes a tabletop exercise and a case study of how informal community-led networks among rural agricultural workers can provide trusted expertise and an entry point to address broader health needs. Led by the American Heart Association and NC FIELD, a nonprofit that works alongside rural communities to expand practical access to health resources.

Presenters:

• Margaret Sharp, American Heart Association
• Yessenia Cuello, Executive Director, NC Field Inc.
• Maricela Bonilla with NC FIELD Sembrando Salud, community leader volunteer for food distributions

This conference track will seek to answer the question: “How do we ensure this work is led with communities rather than done to communities?” Sessions will feature content on neighbor-led growing models, culturally connected foods, land access/ownership solutions, farmer trust and fair procurement, and advocacy approaches that protect and expand local food systems.

SESSION 1: November 5th  |  9:00 am

“Nourishing Dignity: Helping Pantries and Local Food Networks Shift Their Culture”

A practical peer learning session for food pantry staff, volunteers, and faith leaders to transform food access projects into collaborative, community-informed spaces. Featuring case studies and hands-on activities focused on four key areas: communication, hospitable environments, inclusive leadership, and incorporating feedback, the workshop will focus on reducing harm and centering dignity. Hosted by RAFI’s Come to the Table Program, which empowers faith communities to participate in a just food system through collaboration, capacity building, and advocacy.

Presenters:

• David Allen, Senior Program Director, Come to the Table, RAFI-USA
• Justine Post, Program Director, Come to the Table, RAFI-USA

SESSION 2: November 5th  |  2:00 pm

“The Power of Convening: Creating Community-Centered Conversations That Lead to Action”

Strong local food systems are built through relationships, trust, and shared learning. Whether you are a food bank, farmer, community-based organization, public agency, funder, advocate, or resident leader, convening people around a common purpose can spark new partnerships and unlock community-driven solutions. Participants will hear experiences of building community-centered conversations and explore strategies for creating welcoming spaces, strengthening relationships, and building momentum for more resilient and equitable food systems.

Presenters:

• To be announced

• All day – registration is open
• 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Optional tours at the Food Shuttle Farm
• 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: General Session (optional): “Plant Your Feet” facilitated networking session based on pre-event survey
• 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm: Opening Session (speakers to be announced)
• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Welcome Reception at the hotel

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast and table topics
• 9:00 am – 10:30 am: Breakout Sessions
• 10:30 am – 10:45 am: Coffee and networking break
• 10:45 am – 12:15 pm: Breakout Sessions
• 12:15 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch, networking, and Trade Show
• 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Breakout Sessions
• 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Coffee and networking break
• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: General Session
• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Rooftop Reception at the hotel featuring Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Horizon’s Catering and Culinary Apprenticeship Program

• 8:00 am – 9:00 am: Breakfast and table topics
• 9:00 am – 10:00 am: General Session (speakers to be announced)
• 10:00 am – 11:30 am: Planning Sessions (by regions) – “Making Sense and Making Plans”
• 11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Closing Session with L. Ron Pringle, CEO of Inter-Faith Food Shuttle