Press Release 2017
Contact: Paul Lindsley
Paul.lindsley@phase3mc.com
615.585.3487
TENNESSEE LOCAL FOOD SUMMIT RETURNS DEC. 1-3
“Middle Tennessee Farmland Once Fed Nashville, It Will Again”
NASHVILLE, TN – (Nov. 7, 2017)—The Barefoot Farmer Jeff Poppen announced today the
Seventh Annual Tennessee Local Food Summit will be held Dec. 1-3 at Montgomery Bell Academy.
The event features local, regional and national food and farm advocates including Nashville’s best chefs showcasing delicious, locally grown organic meals, educational workshops, networking and the celebration of Nashville’s growing local food movement.
Event Organizer Jeff Poppen, the Barefoot Farmer, is the owner and operator of one of the oldest and largest organic farms in Tennessee, Long Hungry Creek Farm in Red Boiling Springs. Poppen has spent the last 40 years growing his own food and wants to share his vision that “Middle Tennessee farmland once fed all of Nashville, and it will again.”
This year’s event features Ken Meter, one of the most experienced food system analysts in the United States. His work integrates market analysis, business development, systems thinking, and social concerns. Ken will be reviewing and discussing the Nashville Food System Analysis Report.
Additionally, local and regional experts will participate in sessions, including, Tradd Cotter from Mushroom Mountain, Ian McSweeney, Executive Director of Russell Farm and Forest Conservation Foundation, Mac Wilson of Community Garden, Susana Lein of Salamander Springs Farm, Robin Fazio of the Baylor School, Paul Bela of Hill & Hollow Farm, Jay Williams of Williams Honey Farm, Loran Shallenberger of Bells Bend Farms, Alfred Farris of Windy Acres Farm, Bill Kenner of Sequatchie Cove Farm and Tasha Kennard of the Nashville Farmer’s Market. A complete schedule can be found on our website, www.tnlocalfood.com.
Nashville Chefs Tandy Wilson from City House, Julia Sullivan from Henrietta Red, Eric Zizka of Oak Steakhouse and Tony Galzin from Nicky’s Coal Fired will be participating in cooking demonstrations, along with featured meals provided by local partners Husk Nashville and Lockeland Table.
The Tennessee Local Food Summit will make use of several areas of the Montgomery Bell Academy campus, including the school's Dining Hall, kitchens, classrooms, and lecture halls. Students from the MBA Entrepreneurship, Health and Wellness, and Conservation Societies will take part in the conference sessions as well as provide manpower for the event. Parking will be available in the MBA parking garage off Wilson Boulevard.
“MBA is thrilled to serve as host for Tennessee Local Food Summit. The event and its mission provides a great opportunity for our boys to see the impact that the local food movement can have on our community.
Last year, our students provided more than 4,800 hours of volunteer service to 26 organizations in the area, and we see MBA's involvement in the Local Food Summit as a continuation of the school's commitment to serving Middle Tennessee,” said MBA Headmaster Brad Gioia.
During the three-day event, workshops will be offered in backyard and community gardening, online marketing, the effects of agriculture on the environment and more. Tickets for conference which include all workshops, meals and free parking are $75 each and can be purchased at Eventbrite in advance.
About Tennessee Local Food Summit
As a peak year-end event fostering this change, the Tennessee Local Food Summit is December 1-3, 2017 and will be held at Montgomery Bell Academy, sponsored by Barefoot Farmer, LLC and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Food Project, Nashville Grown and Vanderbilt Rooted Community Health. For more information, visit: www.tnlocalfood.com.
Montgomery Bell Academy is the oldest independent school for boys in Tennessee. Since 1867, the school has been dedicated to the ideal of helping young men reach their potential as gentlemen, scholars, and athletes. MBA is home to 15 National Merit Semifinalists, the top-ranked debate team in the country, the 2017 One-Act Play State Champions, and 16 varsity sports competing at the highest level.
