MERCED COUNTY HUNGER TASK FORCE FOOD SUMMIT         

October 27, 2006

Event summary from the Merced County Hunger Task Force:

This Summit boldly aims to collaborate with local food agencies, farmers, nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare providers to create an infrastructure that will aid in eliminating food insecurity in Merced County. The Summit opens with a short history of the Hunger Task Force and it's first-ever Summit, followed by a Keynote Speaker who will set the stage for the day's ambitious goals. Jeremy Hofer, the assistant director of Fresno Metro Ministry, will speak of the great strides his organization has made in addressing Fresno's food insecurity problems including outreach strategies used to increase community participation. The Summit's morning session is dedicated to establishing the extent of food insecurity in Merced County. In addition to learning the results of a recent community food assessment, participants will hear a variety of experts speak on critical issues we are facing. They will then have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and to share their own experiences. In the final portion of the morning discussion, participants will meet in small groups. These groups will assemble according to their profession or interest area, and then collectively determine their vision of what a food-secure Merced County would look like. Resources and any remaining gaps will also be discussed and recorded. After a catered lunch prepared with locally-produced ingredients, the participants will again form small groups and rotate among several topic "Roundtables". Facilitators will guide lively discussions in determining how community organizations can collaborate to eliminate food insecurity and how to increase community participation. Staff volunteers will record all comments and suggestions for use during the Summit's summary and in creating an action plan. Throughout the day, a variety of local agencies will participate in an Information Fair that will include self-serve handouts and displays. Agency employees and volunteers should be available to answer questions during each of the periods the Fair is open. You are an important key player in creating a food security infrastructure for Merced County. Please "Save the Date" for October 27th and join us at the Gateway Community Church in Merced for a full day of information, discussions, and networking!

This page was updated on October 12, 2006.