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Advocates, Professionals and Experts to Convene in Bloomington, IL in late March
Most of us who advocate for a more sustainable and healthier food system recognize that there is a connection between soil health and human health. Basil's Harvest, a Chicago-based non-profit, does the deep-dive research and food systems work to provide the science behind this belief.
To provide a platform for discussion and information sharing, Basil's Harvest has scheduled a two-day Healing from the Ground Up Summit, to take place March 27 and 28 at Epiphany Farms Restaurant in Bloomington in central Illinois. The restaurant is owned by Chef Ken Myszka, who also produces food regeneratively at his nearby Epiphany Farms.
According to the organization, "Basil’s Harvest believes that soil health is fundamental to human health... We aim to transform regional food systems for a healthier future. By leveraging multidisciplinary collaborations and empowering new leaders through hands-on training, we drive systemic change in the food and health landscape."'
Basil's Harvest sets up the Summit with this description of our current food system and its visionary goals
The current state:
Healthcare delivery, food systems, and agriculture operate largely in isolation today, limiting our ability to address chronic disease and create sustainable food systems. Human health depends directly on food quality, which is determined by agricultural practices and planetary health throughout the food system from production to disposal. Consumers seek comprehensive guidance that goes beyond basic dietary recommendations – they want to understand preventive nutrition while making choices that are economically viable and culturally appropriate.
We envision a future where:
Consumers have access to foods that support both their health and values
Our food system supports environmental sustainability while meeting community health needs
Healthcare systems and their providers are active participants in connecting their communities to health-promoting food systems
Incorporate food systems and enhanced nutrition education into medicine curricula and residency training
Farmers are supported in producing nutrient-dense foods through regenerative practices
Institutions have clear pathways to source and serve health-promoting foods
This summit represents a crucial step toward realizing this vision by bringing together the key stakeholders needed to create systemic change.
Erin Meyer, founder and executive director of Basil's Harvest, led an excellent panel discussion at the Organic Grain Conference in Champaign, Illinois, which I attended this week. I will have a recap in a series of articles I plan to write about the event over the next week or so.
Click below to learn more about the Summit and to register.
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