Come to the Table: A Conference on Food Faith and Farms in North Carolina



	Getting Started Assessment Project ideas Stories Resources NC Links Community News Discussion Board Home		Help Plan the 2011 Come to the Table Conferences
			About Come to the Table Come to the Table works with communities of faith in North Carolina to relieve hunger and support local farms. It is a program of the Rural Life Committee of the North Carolina Council of Churches. The 2011 Conferences In 2011, we plan to hold three conferences in February and early March: One in the Wilmington area, one in the Triad, and one in the Asheville area. Each conference will include workshops on different types of projects that congregations can use to connect local food and families in need. They will offer specific training for clergy on connecting food, farming, and faith. Each event will also feature visits to local farms or projects. Planning Committee Engagement Regional planning committees will make sure each event is tailored to the needs and resources of each region. They play a critical role in ensuring that the event reflects the diversity of denominations, congregations, clergy, farmers, service providers, and those facing food insecurity in their area. Committee members also assist with the logistics of the event, such as arranging for locally-sourced food, coordinating outreach and publicity, and planning breakout workshops. A timeline for the work of the regional committees is on the other side of this sheet. What People Are Saying about Come to the Table’s Conferences “I leave more inspired and more informed.” “Our church is considering getting involved in a community garden. Hearing from other folks who have done it makes it seem more possible.” “The food and fellowship was over the top.” “Most important for me was coming together with like-minded people and sharing information, in addition to hopefully raising awareness in the faith community. I learned today that Christian tradition takes land and food seriously.” “I liked the grassroots nature of the program. It featured real people with real experience and wisdom on topical issues.” “The time and expense that we spent at the conference has paid tremendous dividends. It's evident that God's hand was (and is) in the "Come to the Table" initiative.” More information For more information about the 2011 conferences or the regional planning committees, contact Claire Hermann, claire@rafiusa.org, (919) 542-1396 x207
			2011 Come to the Table Conference Regional Committee Timeline April, 2010 First meeting Invite partners to planning process Look for host spaces May, 2010 Host spaces finalized Meeting June, 2010 Begin inviting speakers July, 2010 Meeting Begin planning local outreach August, 2010 Representatives meet with leaders of host spaces September, 2010 Meeting Finalize speakers Begin developing outreach tools Begin food and logistics planning Fourth committee meetings October, 2010</p> Continue food and logistics planning Finalize outreach tools November Meeting Begin planning local follow-up Recruit event volunteers Local outreach begins Finalize food and logistics December Final information from speakers due 2011 January Meeting Media outreach Finalize event volunteers February Eastern NC and Piedmont NC conference March Western NC conference First conference follow-up meeting April Second and third conference follow-up meetings