Committed to building sustainable, equitable,
community-driven food systems to strengthen
the local food economy and promote healthy
lifestyles in the Mississippi Delta.
AUGUST
Delta Fresh Foods Launches Farm to School
August 8
Inaugural Delta Farm to School sale of more than 1000 locally-grown watermelon to feed 2000+ students in seven schools in Mound Bayou and Coahoma County School Districts. Congratulations to farmer Keith Benson of Holmes County and to Food Service Directors Rose Tate and Eddye Johnson!.
SEPTEMBER
Watch for dates of Taste of African Heritage Cooking Classes
Launch of DFFI pilot project using a new curriculum for the Taste of African Heritage Diet in partnership with Oldways. The African Heritage Diet features familiar foods prepared in easy and affordable ways. Learn more about the health benefits and the "how-to" of this exciting way to claim health through heritage. Download African Heritage Diet 101. Details about cooking class sites and dates available from Judy at (662) 404-5004 or jwbelue1@gmail.com.
OCTOBER
Annual Harvest Celebration
October 25
The 2nd annual Harvest Celebration for DFFI will be held Thursday evening, October 25th at the historic Cutrer Mansion, 109 Clark Street in Clarksdale, 6-8pm. The evening will include award presentations for the Growing Together Network Garden competition, awards and highlights of the growing Farm to School movement in the Delta, an exciting PhotoVoice presentation by youth from Belzoni and an inspiring short video about Delta Fresh Foods partners produced this summer by NBC. Don’t miss this annual gathering to recognize and lift up exciting positive change in Mississippi. RSVP by contacting Judy Belue at (662) 404-5004 or jwbelue1@gmail.com.
"Community Works" Conference
October 26
Community Resource Development “Community Works” Conference sponsored by Alcorn State University Extension Service will be held at the Regency Hotel & Conference Center, 400 Greymont Avenue, Jackson MS. For information contact (601) 372-1424, toll free (877) 427-9536, or kmclin@alcorn.edu.
"Closing the Wealth Gap; Diversity of People, Policy & Research" Conference
October 31– November 2
November 2–5th Annual 2012 Southern Regional Asset Building Coalition Project (SRABC) conference "Closing the Wealth Gap; Diversity of People; Policy and Research" at Pearl River Resorts in Choctaw MS. The purpose of this gathering is to engage a diverse group of community and faith-based organizational leadership, financial institutions, federal and state government, the private sector, policy advocates, researchers, and other key stakeholders to discuss existing challenges for economic growth in the region. The Coalition for a Prosperous Mississippi/MS Association of Cooperatives is the managing partner for the state of Mississippi. Registration deadline is September 19, 2012. More details at http://www.regonline.com/2012srabcconference.
NOVEMBER
Delta Fresh Board to Arizona
November 8–12
Board members and key stakeholders of the Delta Fresh Foods Initiative will participate in a national gathering sponsored by WhyHunger for local food and social justice advocates from California and Arizona to build our capacity and strengthen our efforts.
MS Farm to School Conference
November 14
MS Farm to School Conference to be held at Muse Center on the Rankin Campus of Hinds Community College, 515 Country Place Parkway in Pearl MS. 10am–2pm. Keynote speaker will be nationally known “Cafeteria Man,” Tony Geraci, Director of the Central Nutrition Center and founder of the Farm to School initiative for Memphis City Schools.
MS Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference
November 28–29
MS Fruit & Vegetable Growers Conference & Trade Show at the Hilton Hotel on County Line Road in Jackson MS. Contact Candi Adams at (662) 534-1916 or cadams@ext.msstate.edu. Early registration ends September 15th.
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