Since 1818, farmers have relied on the Farmers’ Almanac for uncannily accurate weather predictions to inform their planting, harvesting, and day-to-day living. In 2017, Slow Food New York City will sponsor the Seventh Annual Food Almanac, a food and farming prognostication inspired by the Farmers’ Almanac.

The Food Almanac is a singular opportunity for food-active individuals to consider food and farming policy issues in the New Year. At first glance, food and farming seem to be an afterthought in the Trump administration. But, the Republican Congress is entertaining big changes in food and farm policies and counting on the President to make them happen….

• Will the historic Farm Bill alliance of farmers and anti-hunger advocates survive? (and what about SNAP?)
• Will School Lunch reforms and Nutrition Standards stand?
• Will the administration compromise on undocumented farmworkers?
• Which Food Safety and Environmental Regulations will go, and how fast? (and what about Sustainability?)

Big Questions! To help answer them, our panel of experts will speculate on the year coming and suggest how each of us can engage on the issues. The Food Almanac is NOT just Food for Thought. Attendees also will enjoy networking, local wine and beer, and delicious seasonal snacks.

Panel:

Mary Jo Dudley, Senior Extension Associate, Director, Cornell Farmworkers Program @CaRDICornell

Pam Koch @pam_koch, Executive Director/Associate Research Professor, Columbia Teachers’ College and Executive Director, Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food Education & Policy@TischFoodCenter

Reana Kovalcik @ReanaMK, ‎Associate Director of Communications and Development, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition @SustainableAg

Margot Pollans @MPollans, Assistant Professor of Law, Pace university, Faculty Director, Pace-NRDC Food Law Initiative@PaceEnviroLaw

Josh Morgenthau @fishkillfarms Farmer, Fishkill Farms

Moderator:

Mary Cleaver @TheCleaverCo, Snail of Approval Winning Restaurateur and Caterer and SFNYC SnailBlazer and Advisory Committee Member