Public Invited to Panel Discussion on Building Sustainable Food Systems at GME

By Analiese Paik

Please join me and leaders in the sustainable food movement for a panel discussion and audience Q&A at the 4th Annual Green Market Exposition on Thursday, October 25 at 1:00 pm. The Green Market Exposition runs from 9-4, so please visit with me and other green businesses and community leaders during this free event. Top leaders, sustainability experts, national organizations and community members gather at the Green Market Exposition for panel discussions, networking, and problem solving.

Farm and Food Innovators: Building Sustainable Food Systems and Community Food Security

1:00-1:50 pm

Moderator: Analiese Paik, Founder & Editor, Fairfield Green Food Guide

Panelists:

• Kevin Mullins, Executive Director of Community Plates, a non-profit organization connecting surplus food from restaurants and other sources to food-insecure households throughout the U.S.
• Farah Masani, sustainable farmer and local food systems professional
• Tyler Cote, Managing Partner of Cote’s Naturals, Connecticut’s first organic aquaponics business
• Andrea Angera, Jr., sustainable farmer and General Manager of Litchfield Farms Organic & Natural/Community Catch, a company bringing the bounty of our local agricultural communities to workplaces and community locations though out the region.
  

RSVP to attend the panel discussion by clicking here.

Kevin Mullins, Executive Director of Community Plates, has led churches in various parts of the country before helping found Community Plates in 2011. He is a professional musician, loves public speaking and working with and helping people more than anything and can’t wait to partner with new volunteers and donors to help end food-insecurity nationally.

Farah Masani is a sustainable farmer living in Wilton, CT who provides the community with flexible CSA shares from her leased land in Fairfield County, including a labor CSA. She advises businesses on local farm and food resources and provides sustainable farming services to private farm owners. Farah previously worked as a farm manager at Millstone Farm in Wilton.

Tyler Cote, Managing Partner of Cote’s Naturals, is  a graduate of Lincoln Culinary Institute and has spent the last 7 years working in commercial kitchens. He established Cote’s Naturals with partner David Johndrow in the spring of 2012. His knowledge of the food service industry helps guide Cote’s Naturals in a direction that balances sustainable farming with the demand for high quality, specialty produce, year round in Connecticut. Cote’s Naturals has recently finished construction on their 12,000 sq. ft. warehouse and is looking to expand in the near future.

Andrea Angera, Jr. is an industry leader in organic and sustainable meat and seafood, a farmer, and an advocate for local agriculture. After taking the helm of the company his grandfather started in 1937, he shifted the company’s focus back to its roots: foods that are locally produced, organically grown and fully traceable back to the folks who raised the food.  As the general manager of Litchfield Farms Organic & Natural/Community Catch, Andrea developed the concept of “cultural sustainability” and is a leader in the Community Supported Fisheries movement.  Recognized in New York Magazine, Fox News, The Wine Spectator and other national media, Andrea has captured the attention of  those that value our natural resources and sustainable/traceable foods. His values have garnered him credibility with farmers, fishermen, aquaculturists and chefs. He has also consulted with several innovative start-up enterprises seeking to change the way we eat, including CleanPlates. When he isn’t  speaking about our relationship to food, he is enjoying his small farm in the Litchfield Hills with his children.

About the Green Market Exposition

Green Market Exposition Showcases Urban Innovation: Expert Panels & Exhibits on Microgrids, Green Jobs, Sustainable Food Systems, and Successful Green Businesses

Over 50 businesses, organizations, sustainability experts and leaders will gather in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Thursday, October 25th, from 9:00am – 4:00pm, at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center for the 4^th Annual Green Market Exposition. Innovative solutions to urban challenges that will revitalize our economy, and strengthen our communities will be the topics presented and discussed by key leaders.

Exhibits, complimentary refreshments and networking begin at 9:00am. Mayor Bill Finch kicks off the daylong program with his keynote speech at 10:00am, followed by four panels whose topics range from microgrids and businesses that are succeeding because of “green” practices, to sustainable food systems and green jobs. Mayor Bill Finch commented, “The Green Market Exposition is bringing together stakeholders and experts to share their passion and knowledge about job creation, green businesses, healthier foods and much more. We’re proud to host the Exposition and these important discussions in Bridgeport, where we’re working very hard and implementing innovative strategies to be the greenest City in the region.” Featured guests include Robert Araujo, Manager Sustainability and EHS Programs, Sikorsky Aircraft; Joe Carbone, CEO, The WorkPlace; Floyd Lapp, Ph.D., Executive Director, SWRPA; Bill Kinneary, President, North American Power and Paul Timpanelli, CEO & President of Bridgeport Regional Business Council.

In addition to panels, the GME will feature over 30 business and organization exhibits. Admission and access to all panels, speakers and exhibits is free.

The Green Market Exposition Creates Awareness and Brings Together Necessary Elements Needed To Create and Support Sustainable Infrastructures.

The GME offers green job training/green job opportunities, as well as relevant information on going green and saving money, environmental stewardship, green technology, and sustainable food systems,” explains Daphne Dixon, co-founder of the GME. Dixon adds, “It is the hope of everyone involved with the GME that people will come away from the event with a better understanding of the developing green infrastructure and evolving green market economy that is taking place throughout Fairfield County, the state and the country. With a strong focus on what citizens and businesses can do to take initiative and be part of the solution, the GME will provide community members and leaders with information and resources to make well-informed, conscious decisions that will lead to more livable communities.”

Featured GME Panels:

 11:00am

Microgrids and the Urban Energy Revolution

Moderator: Gil Kernan, CleanTech PMG

Featuring:

Robert Araujo, Sikorsky Aircraft

Matthew Fairy, Pareto Energy

Joel Rinebold, CT Center for Advanced Technology, Inc

Register Now

12:00pm

The Upside of Being Green in a Down Economy: Success Stories

Moderator, Paul Timpanelli, President and CEO, Bridgeport Regional Business Council

Featuring:

Yvonne Hickey, Xerox

Frank Kuchinski, Poulsen Hybrid

Kathy Maher, Barnum Museum

Derek Wallace, Eastern Bag & Paper

Register Now

1:00pm

Farm and Food Innovators: 

Building Sustainable Food Systems and Community Food Security

Moderator: Analiese Paik, Founder & Editor, Fairfield Green Food Guide

Featuring:

Andrea Angera, Jr., Industry leader in organic and sustainable meat and seafood

Farah Masani, sustainable farmer and local food systems professional

Tyler Cote, Managing Partner of Cote’s Naturals

Kevin Mullins, Executive Director, Community Plates

Register Now

2:00pm

Getting Connecticut Back to Work: Real Jobs

Moderator, Floyd Lapp, Ph.D., Executive Director, SWRPA

Featuring:

Joe Carbone, CEO, The WorkPlace

Dan Delventhal, Founder & CEO, MowGreen.US

Steve Domyan, Founder & CEO, MetroCrops

Bill Kinneary, President, North American Power

Stephanie Weiner, Founder & CEO, New England Smart Energy

Register Now

Special thanks to 2012 Green Market Exposition Sponsors, Title Sponsor, Sikorsky Aircraft; Community Sponsor, St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Solar Sponsor, Encon, Inc.

For additional information and a complete list of exhibitors, community partners, and speakers, please visit www.greenmarketexposition.org. For additional information and/or to exhibit, please call (203) 536-4695.