More than a decade ago, Pothukuchi and Kaufman (2000) urged planners to attend to the health of food systems in their communities. Since their call, a number of changes have occurred within the field of planning. Today, planning practitioners are deploying planning strategies to strengthen food systems throughout the United States. A number of planning programs are offering coursework in food systems planning. In short, food systems planning has arrived. As food systems planning matures, scholars and educators grapple with new questions and challenges. To facilitate a conversation about future directions of food systems planning, a workshop and lunch reception will be held in conjunction with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The workshop will provide a venue for seasoned and emerging food systems planning scholars and educators to gather and share ideas. Doctoral students focusing on food systems planning are especially encouraged to attend.

 The workshop will include a facilitated conversation focused on the following three questions.

1.       How can we advance research in food systems planning in the next 5-10 years?

2.       How can we advance the pedagogy of food systems planning in the next 5-10 years?

3.       How should planning practice respond to food systems concerns in the next 5-10 years?

 Results of the workshop will be shared with all attendees after the conference. Lunch will be provided. We are planning on vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian food choices. Please let us know if you have allergies or any other food preferences. Space is limited. RSVP is required.  Please reserve a place in the workshop by e-mailing Subhashni Raj atsubhashn@buffalo.edu by October 27, 2014.

 The workshop is sponsored by Growing Food Connections http://www.growingfoodconnections.org/, a multi-year initiative funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Time: 11:30 AM -1:30 PM

Date: October 31, 2014

Location: Rick Nichols Room, Reading Terminal Market, 51 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Directions:  http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/about-the-market/directions