The South Central PA Food System Alliance (SCPA-FSA) and its partners have several exciting activities lined up for fall 2012, here are a few:

November 7:  The York County Local Food Summit (8-4) 

• Penn State Extension- York has partnered with York City Bureau of Health, the York Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local®, Sonnewald Natural Foods, YorKitchen, Sunnyside Farm, Spoutwood Farm and Wellspan Health to host The York County Local Food Summit on November 7^th, 2012. The exciting event coming to York will feature discussion about creating a sustainable and localized food system in York County. The summit will bring food producers, distributors, processors, retailers, wholesalers, agencies, nonprofits, schools, educators, and government representatives together to address the topic. The day will be cost-effective, interactive, educational, and enlightening to serve as a springboard for further events, policy change, action and feasible planning so as to make the idea of a sustainable York County a reality. 
• Click here to learn more about the event, hosting partners, and find registration information by visiting:   

November 14:  TCRPC's "Food Systems Planning Creating a Pathway from farm...to market...to table. "

• This forum and discussion focus on the topics covered in the preliminary report developed by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission for Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties.  The event begins at 7pm at the Radisson in Harrisburg and registration is requested by November 6.   
• Click Here for additional information and a link to register

 January 2013:  SCPA-Food System Alliance Update Conference Call

• Periodic conference call to provide updates about regional activities since July & discuss upcoming events. 
• New to the Food System Alliance?  This is a great way to get to know the partners!
• Would you like to participate?  email: cburns@capitalrcd.org to be included in meeting announcements, including scheduling polls.

February 28, 2013:  SAVE THE DATE - SCPA-Food System Alliance Equity & Inclusion training

• Training for SCPA-FSA partners preliminary to additional group strategic planning
• Wilson College will host the event, plan now for ride sharing!
• Additional information about facilitation and agenda will be available soon - keep an eye on your email inbox & this blog!
• Note:  Snow date - March 7

July 10 Meeting Highlights...

Closing the Food Gap Follow-up &

South Central PA Food System Alliance Kick-off Meeting

Tuesday, July 10, 2012; 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Camp Hill, PA

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS:

·        17 organizations were represented, each providing details about their work and impacts upon the South Central PA’s food system.

·        Three additional projects were highlighted including:

o   York County Food Availability Task Force

o   Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s food system assessment

o   Adams County Food Policy Council initiative entitled ‘Healthy Options’

·        Details about the data collected during the November 11, Closing the Food Gap symposium about institutional and community focused local food issues was shared and are available at the blog (linked below) or via Cheryl Burns with Capital RC&D.

·        The group determined to retain the name of The South Central PA Food System Alliance.

·        The group also discussed the importance of ensuring that disadvantaged populations are represented.  The group will participate in awareness training during winter 2013 quarterly meeting to be held at Wilson College (date tbd).

·        The spring 2013 quarterly meeting will feature a strategic planning session to develop group identity, goals, and action steps.

·        The fall 2012 quarterly meeting will be in conjunction with the “Go Local for Health” Regional Health Summit in Gettysburg, PA on September 18, 2012. 

·        Immediate actions are to develop a comprehensive resource clearinghouse, partner directory and establish appropriate communication channels. 

Please visit http://tastethegifts.blogspot.com for more detail about upcoming “Go Local for Health” summit, complete meeting notes for the July SCPA-FSA meeting, or the Nov. 2011 Closing the Food Gap Symposium.  Feel free to contact Cheryl Burns, cburns@capitalrcd.org or 717-241-4361 with any questions.  

Go Local for Health; Sept. 18 - Gettysburg

Go Local for Health is a regional summit, to be held in September 2012, uniting community leaders, stakeholders and the general public on the issues of affordable and accessible healthy eating and recreation opportunities in south central Pennsylvania.  Rates of chronic diseases and related risk factors continue to increase locally and a comprehensive approach is needed to address them.  Go Local for Health attendees will be educated on current community efforts and national best practices, and participate in planning dialogues about promoting health regionally. 

 (Note:  The next South Central PA Food System Alliance meeting will take place at this summit in the form of a discussion session.  Topics will be identified by the group at the July 10 follow-up meeting - register today!)

Where: Gettysburg Hotel and Majestic Theater in Gettysburg PA

Date: September 18th, 2012

Time: Registration 8:00 a.m. Ending at 3:00 p.m.

Workshop Topics: Informational sessions on local fitness, healthy foods and recreation programs. Learn about WRAP (Wellness Action Recovery Plans) from our Keynote Speaker Gina Calhoun. Join us in the afternoon for action planning sessions including a continued followup to Closing the Food Gap, Recreation and Fitness and media's impact on health and wellness.

Cost: Free!

Sponsors: Healthy Adams County, Carlisle Health and Wellness Foundation, South MountainPartnership