Event organizer Will Schanbacher delivers remarks during the 4th annual event in 2022. (Photo by JWS Photography)
The USF College of Arts and Sciences’ Urban Food Sovereignty Group (UFSG) is set to host the 5th annual Tampa Bay Urban Food Sovereignty Summit. The focus of this year’s event is “Food Sovereignty in the Food System.” The kickoff event will take place on Oct. 12 in Charles William Young Hall (CWY) on the USF Tampa campus beginning at 5:00 p.m. The kickoff event will be followed by a half-day event on Oct. 15 at Sweetwater Organic Community Farm in Tampa.
In addition to heightening the awareness of urban food sovereignty at USF and the larger Tampa Bay community, the two-day event will also reinforce the university’s role as the leading learning, research and community engagement hub for urban food sovereignty in the region, bringing together students, faculty, local food activists, NFP groups and leaders, government officials, farmers, community gardeners, and the public for robust discussions, educational experiences, and research opportunities.
Will Schanbacher, the director of the UFSG, has helped organize the event each year since its inception in 2018, including selecting speakers and tabling organizations. He is looking forward to continuing to spread the word about this year’s topic.
“This event will provide USF students, faculty and the public with an opportunity to see how we can build a healthier and more resilient food system,” Schanbacher said. “The idea of food sovereignty is a positive force in society and transcends political and economic boundaries to help fight food insecurity and build a more flourishing society. Our presenters will provide examples of organizations or projects in which people can volunteer or possibly think about as career opportunities.”
Tabling and demonstrations by local organizations. (Photo by JWS Photographer)
“We hope people will leave with an understanding of what food sovereignty is, a greater awareness of issues and problems in our current food system, and ideas on how they might participate in ongoing efforts to build more resilient and sustainable food communities.”
To learn more about the 5th Annual Urban Food Sovereignty Event, please visit the event webpage.