Hardwick Food Event Friday, Nov. 4

Nurturing Communities: Finding the Intersection of Food and Economy

What is a durable economy, and how is it created and sustained? How are our food systems incorporated into our communities? What roles do local farms and food distributors play in developing a healthy, vibrant community? These questions and more will be discussed on Friday, November 4th, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Vermont Food Venture Center in Hardwick. Leading the discussion are Rhonda Phillips and Bruce Seifer, co-authors of the book Sustainable Communities: Creating a Durable Local Economy. Phillips is also the author of Growing Livelihoods: Local Food Systems and Community Development. Following the discussion, there will be an opportunity to tour the facilities of the Food Venture Center.

The Galaxy Bookshop and the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) are co-sponsoring this event as a fundraiser for the Hardwick Area Food Pantry and the CAE’s “Grow Your Own” program. Donations of non-perishable food items or cash will be gratefully accepted on behalf of these two organizations, and a portion of the evening’s book sales will be donated by The Galaxy Bookshop.

Community well-being is the focus of Rhonda Phillips’ research and outreach activities. She has written extensively on community development and related topics, offering both practice and academic perspectives. Formerly a Senior Sustainability Scientist with the Global Institute of Sustainability and Professor in the School of Community Resources & Development at Arizona State University, Phillips serves as Purdue University’s inaugural  Dean of the Honors College and Professor, Agricultural Economics Department.

Bruce Seifer is a consultant with deep experience in economic development. He led the City of Burlington Vermont’s Economic Development efforts for three decades, providing technical assistance to 4,000 businesses and numerous non-profits. Seifer frequently speaks at national forums on policy and strategy, city revitalization, and program design and evaluation.

The Center for an Agricultural Economy is devoted to engaging the public in building a regenerative, locally based, healthy food system through collaboration opportunities, food access and hunger relief, educational outreach and providing infrastructure.

Maintaining a thoughtfully chosen selection of books, stationery, and gifts for all ages as well as an ongoing schedule of events, The Galaxy Bookshop has been operating as a proudly independent bookstore in Hardwick since 1988.

The Vermont Food Venture Center is a multi-use processing facility designed to assist and support local food producers to develop and grow their businesses. Offering consultation and business advising, kitchens and industrial equipment, and food storage facilities, the VFVC endeavors to support job creation, strengthen Vermont’s local food network and further build the agricultural economy.

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