That is where the Local and Sustainable Food Conference comes in. Scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Unity Center of the Performing Arts, the day-long conference will feature information tables staffed by groups working on food issues in Maine, speakers, forums and workshops geared toward creating food independence, said conference organizer Terra Connors of Food for Maine's Future.
"We just wanted to have a day where everybody could get together, be in the same room together, and learn and talk about food issues," Connors said.
This is the second year Food for Maine's Future has organized the conference. Last year the event drew 200 people and Connors is expecting a larger crowd this year.
The focus of this year's conference, which is supported by a variety of local agencies, including Unity Barn Raisers and Unity College, is creating change in the community and local food.
"People are increasingly looking for nourishment that is healthy and local," Connors said. "They want to know what their children are eating at home and at school. With faceless industrial food systems, we are less guaranteed of our foods' safety; we are unable to call up the farmer and ask what chemicals are going into the produce or what hormones are in the milk."
State representative John Piotti (D-Unity), who serves on the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, will give the keynote address on local foods and sustainable agriculture within the community.
Linda Hartkopf, health coordinator for School Administrative District 34 (Bath area) and a farmer, and Steve Tanguay, who oversees Bath's Troy Howard Middle School's nationally recognized garden project, will take part in a panel discussion on offering healthy foods at school.
In between speakers and forums, the conference will offer information tables for groups working on food issues.
"We have recognized what we do not want our food system to be," Connors said. "This conference is about taking our concerns to the next level and exploring what we do want to see."
Unity Barn Raisers and the Volunteer Regional Food Pantry will present a Local Foods Dinner beginning at 6 p.m.. The dinner will consist almost entirely of Maine food and, throughout, presenters will tell about where the food came from, who produced it, it's cultural and historical significance and relevance of local food within Maine's food system.
The events will wrap up with a dance, with music provided by local musicians, beginning at 8 p.m.
There is a suggested donation of $15 for the conference and $10 for the dinner.
For more information call 692-2571 or visit FoodForMaineFuture.org.