The second Buffalo Food Policy Summit, an event designed to bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss opportunities for sustainable economic development through the local food system, will take place Oct. 23 at UB and SUNY Buffalo State.

The summit is free and open to the public. Sponsors include the UB School of Architecture and Planning, the school’s Food Systems Planning and Healthy Communities Lab, and the UB Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative.

The summit will get underway at 1:30 p.m. at UB with the keynote presentation, “‘Just Sustainabilities’” in Food Systems Research,” by Julian Agyeman, professor in the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University. Agyeman’s talk, which will take place in 105 Harriman Hall, South Campus, will explore the relationship between humans, the environment, social justice and equity in food systems research.

Following Agyeman’s talk, a panel discussion will be held featuring Heather Orom, assistant professor in the Department of Community Health and Health Behavior; Himanshu Grover, assistant professor, UB Department of Urban and Regional Planning; and Ted Schmidt, Department of Economics, SUNY Buffalo State.

Those attending are asked to RSVP to CEPPrsvp@buffalo.edu. Refreshments will be provided.

The summit will continue with a Public Forum & Information Fair from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Burchfield-Penney Art Gallery at SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

The forum will explore ideas related to how Erie County residents can leverage the Food Policy Council of Buffalo and Erie County for changes in the local food system. Attendees will meet Erie County food advocates and entrepreneurs in a casual and festive setting. The event will close with a short presentation by food policy advocates and public presentation of the newly formed Food Policy Council of Buffalo and Erie County.

For more information about the Buffalo Food Policy Summit contact Laura Mangan at lmangan@buffalo, or 645-5376.