La. Food Access Summit For Nov. 7 In Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — About 300 farmers, nonprofit organizations, policy makers, school officials and others are expected at a daylong food access summit Nov. 7 at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

LSU AgCenter nutritionist Annrose Guarino says organizers hope to improve communication among people who produce food and those who distribute it.

She says the $26 event will include sessions on school and community gardens, food stamps and farmers markets, using local foods in school lunch programs, developing local food policy councils, farm-to-school programs, and implementing a hunger-free Louisianaplan.

Speakers will include state Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, U.S. Department of Agriculture regional administrator Bill Ludwig, State Rep. Scott Simon, whose bill established a state Sustainable Local Food Policy Council; and LSU AgCenter vice chancellor Paul Coreil.