Press Release: 17th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit

THE 17TH ANNUAL CHICAGO FOOD JUSTICE SUMMIT

Collective Care: How to Deconstruct While Rebuilding

CHICAGO, IL - The Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) is hosting the 17th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit in partnership with Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE). The summit will be hosted virtually February 23-25th, 2022. 

Register here!
This event is free. Spanish translation, American Sign Language interpretation, and accessible accommodations will be provided. All sessions will be recorded.

More than 600 local agriculture experts, elected officials, environmental justice authorities, emergency food providers, nutrition and health care advocates, urban farmers, food workers, and students are expected to attend the summit. Together they will reflect on the work, accomplishments and future goals in Chicago, Cook County and across the state of Illinois. 

This year’s summit will feature: 

  • BIPOC farmers, organizations, and leaders who are fighting for an equitable transition to a radically reimagined food system

  • Three days of curated panels, workshops, video roundtables, and interactive sessions from food justice leaders based in the Midwest 

  • A virtual expo featuring local businesses and organizations dedicated to building an more resilient food system in Illinois

  • A raffle featuring prizes from local farms and food businesses to generate excitement about Chicagoland’s local food system 

Why Collective Care? 

Food is something that we all share. It is pivotal to who we are physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It connects us, grounds us, excites us, and nourishes us. 

But the Chicagoland food system is far from perfect, which is why we want to talk about Collective Care this year. The 17th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit will cultivate a space to honor the radical acts of care and kindness that took place last year. It will celebrate revolutionary ideas, individuals, and organizations who have begun deconstructing the foundation of food inequity. It will harness the power of passionate people to reimagine the future of our food system.

Our food system was built on the foundation of systemic racism. This is evident in paradoxical statistics, for example that Black and Latinx communities are more likely to experience food insecurity, yet they are also more likely to be the “essential workers,” that grow, harvest, clean, process, distribute, and sell food to Chicagoland residents. COVID-19 disproportionately burdened BIPOC communities in a way that reminded us that if we are not thorough, deliberate, and thoughtful as we build systems that are meant to serve everyone equitably, they will fail. 

We invite you to join us on February 23-25th, 2022 in building momentum towards a resilient food system where all races, classes, genders, and social identities can thrive. 

We hope that - much like the food we eat - this Summit will connect you, ground you, excite you, and nourish you.

Quotes from the organizers: 

"Cook County Health Department is partnering with the Chicago Food Policy Action Council on the 17th Annual Chicago Food Justice Summit so we can more intentionally include suburban audiences into conversations about food equity in the Chicagoland region. To build a more resilient food system that serves all who reside throughout Cook County, we'll need to ensure suburban and urban institutions are working collaboratively. This year's summit will be a chance for all of us to come together." says Amy O’Rourke, Director of Chronic Disease Prevention & Control, Cook County Department of Public Health

“While the Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) as an organization focuses on policy advocacy and implementation, this summit will cover so much more. How do communities identify that a problem could be addressed by policy versus an alternate route? How can policymakers ensure drafted legislation won’t cause unintended consequences? When new policies are implemented, how do they actually affect people’s day to day lives? If any of these questions are intriguing to you, this free event is for you!” says Stef Funk, Summit Co-Organizer of Chicago Food Policy Action Council. 

“The cultivation of creativity in the food justice sector of Chicago was an instant draw, it has truly been a gift to be able to support CFPAC in developing this important summit. This year’s offering will be an engaging, warm, and welcoming space to learn, breathe, and surround yourself with a variety of conversations related to the food systems in our communities.” says Alexandria Knapik, Flavor and (Re)Imagination Summit Co-Leader.

“Everyone that eats should attend the Chicago Food Justice Summit. You’ll learn more about the inequities in our food system and meet the food justice warriors fighting to make it better. With this year’s theme, you’ll have space to reflect on and rejoice in the revolutionary acts of care that kept the people of Chicago fed. During a time of our lives that has felt less than optimistic, this year’s Summit will be like a big bowl of soup on a cold winter day, nourishing your body and your spirit at the same time.” says Makala Bach, Communications and Engagement Summit Co-Leader

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MEDIA CONTACT

Stef Funk
Communications Specialist
Chicago Food Policy Action Council
312-687-6484
stef@chicagofoodpolicy.com



Stef Funk