Buyer/Supplier Mixer

Thank you for your interest in attending the first Good Food Purchasing Initiative’s Buyer/Supplier Mixer, December 8-10th, 2021 at the Farm on Ogden. Please register for the event by Tuesday, November 30th.

In support of a more equitable and transparent food procurement process, CFPAC and its partners will be facilitating a networking experience for local food growers and businesses, distributors, meal program managers, and food education specialists within the Metro Chicago foodshed. Over the course of three days:

• Producers will learn more about the City of Chicago and Cook County’s Good Food Purchasing Policies
• Producers will explore how they can leverage institutional good food commitments to help sustain their operations
• Food education programmers and producers will explore pathways to better partner with each other to promote the local food system to community members
• Producers will strategize with distributors, food service managers, food buyers, and other institutional partners on how to build equitable business relationships across the local supply chain

Who should register?

• Local food growers & producers
• Local food businesses & processors
• Local food distributors
• Food service providers
• Institutional meal program administrators
• Food literacy and education practitioners
• Space will be prioritized for farmers and food businesses owned and operated by people who identify as Black, Latine, Indigenous, or People of Color.

Please note: We may not be able to guarantee a spot to all that register. This is due to space capacity, COVID-19 precautions, and to ensure we have an appropriate mix of food businesses and institutional representatives. All who register will automatically be placed on a waiting list. We will reach out to confirm your attendance by December 1st, 2021. However, this event is the first, but will not be the last! The Metro Chicago Good Food Purchasing Initiative aims to offer a series of Buyer/Supplier Mixers over the next three years, and we will make sure that all who register are notified of future opportunities.

COVID-19 Protocol: We will be taking precautionary measures during this in-person event to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Either a negative COVID-19 test (within the last 48 hours) or proof of vaccination will be required to enter. All participants will be required to wear a mask during the event (please remember to bring one with you!). Thank you for helping us keep each other safe.

Audience: Farmers, food growers, and food businesses only

Schedule overview: Project partners will share information about the Good Food Purchasing Initiative and an overview of the new Guide for Growers and Food Businesses; special guests will share their experiences selling to schools, hospitals, and other wholesale and cafeteria settings.

Audience: For farmers, food growers, food businesses, and food literacy and education specialists

Schedule Overview: Food literacy specialists will share information about the programming and curriculum they offer to students, hospital patients, and the broader public; food growers and businesses will share what they do and explore partnership opportunities with food educators.

Audience: For farmers, food growers, food businesses, food distributors, food service providers, food buyers, institutional administrators

Schedule Overview: Representatives across the local food chain will have time to talk with one another and learn about their different needs and offers. Farms and food businesses will have an opportunity to build relationships with those who might purchase their products and invest in their operations. Food distributors, food service providers, and institutional representatives will share more about the communities they serve and learn about different farms and food businesses that are aligned with Good Food values.

DEMOGRAPHIC QUESTIONS

Why are we asking for this information? A key element of this mixer, and other training initiatives, is to contribute to building racial, gender and economic equity in the food supply chain. Answering these questions allows us to assess how we have designed CFPAC’s training, outreach and networking events with and for those whose experiences are not typically centered in the food systems community.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Farm on Ogden, 3555 West Ogden Avenue, Chicago, United States