The Growing Connections Food Summit brings West Michigan farmers, businesses, community organizations, educators, and students to develop and strengthen community partnerships and explore solutions for local, sustainable food economies.

The Growing Connection Food Summit will take place in 2026. See you soon!

Agenda

• 11:00-11:45 Registration, Networking, and Exploring Community Tables
• 11:45-12:00 Welcome & Overview of the Event
• 12:00-1:00 Keynote Speakers
  • 12:00-12:15 Lindsey Scalera - Michigan Good Food Charter
  • 12:15-12:30 Carlos Calderon - USDA Urban Agriculture Initiative 
  • 12:30-12:45 Zyra Castillo - Kultura Education Center
  • 12:45-1:00 Q&A (Combined)
• 1:00-2:00 Soup & Salad Lunch and Roundtable Discussions
• 2:00-3:00 Panel Discussion on Restorative Justice and Food
  • Moderator:  Christina Mpilo (Senior Managing Director, Soul Fire Farm)
  • Panelists:  Eric Freeman (President, Mindset Meals), Rev. Nurya Love Parish (Executive Director, Plainsong Farm), Myriah Williams (Member of Pokagon Band of Potawatomi)
• 3:00-3:30 Closing and Additional Time for Exploring Community Tables

Please email Yumi at jakobciy@gvsu.edu if you have any questions.

We hope to see you there!

Getting There

For driving directions to our Grand Rapids campus, please visit https://www.gvsu.edu/meetatgvsu/devos-driving-directions-164.htm.

The event will be taking place in the Loosemore Auditorium, which is located in building E of the Richard M. DeVos Center (labeled DEV on the map below).

Validated parking for the event will be available in the Seward Parking Lot Ramp (labeled SPL on the map below).  The booth attendant will have parking passes at the booth for you to display in your windshield. Please be sure to stop at the booth.