Food Security Summit

2025 Summit ~ May 22, 2025

Thank you for joining us for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities and workshop sessions. Experts and community members addressed challenges and explored solutions to food insecurity and access. Presentations slides and handouts are available below.

SUMMIT OVERVIEW

08:00 - Registration Opens

08:30 - Welcome

08:35 - Opening: Dr. Catherine York (LCHC Board Chair)

08:40 - Grow Lane County Overview (UWSWCD slides)

09:10 - AM Keynote : Lane County Commissioner, Laurie Trieger

10:15 - Breakout Sessions

11:30 - Lane County Food Security Assessment Overview

12:00 - Lunch

12:45 - PM Keynote: Food Sovereignty with Oregon Food Bank

02:30 - Breakout Sessions

03:45 - Building a Coalition - Steps for Engagement

03:55 - Closing Remarks

04:00 - Happy Hour Optional

Presentations

Click the arrow button to access the presentation slides (if available) and information about each session.

  • All food comes from farms. Participants learned how local farms are partnering with anti-hunger organizations to increase access to healthy, fresh and locally grown food for community members experiencing hunger.

    Farmers & Food Security slides

    Moderated by Jared Pruch (Upper Willamette SWCD).

    Presenters

    • Kara Smith, FOOD for Lane County

    • Christina Bentrup, Bee Loved Farm

    • Valerie Nguyen, Westfir-Oakridge Community Farmers Market

    • Linea Brink Anderson, Friends & Family Farm

  • Access to healthy food is closely linked with health outcomes. In this session, participants learned about community organizations and their efforts to address challenges and explore solutions to food insecurity and access. 

    Moderated by Rhonda Busek (Lane Community Health Council)

    Presenters

    • Elliot Skye, PacificSource
      Their efforts focus on Medicaid Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) including nutrition supports and how community-based organizations can get involved.

    • Alexis Ravuri, Ko-Kwell Wellness Center
      Their efforts are to bring high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables to patients in their clinic through the Trillium Produce Plus Program.

    • Josie Hall, PeaceHealth
      Their efforts are driven by their belief that good health, prevention, and community well-being are fundamental rights.

  • Numerous new cross-sector partnerships are helping to move people and move food to increase food access in both rural and urban areas of Lane County.

    No presentations to share

    Moderated by John Ahlen (Lane Transit District)t goes here

    Presenters

    • Alma Fumiko Hesus, United Way of Lane County

    • Jennifer Denson, Burrito Brigade

    • Shelley Schular, Lane County Bounty

  • Food security in Lane County is dependent on the sustainability and scalability of local farm businesses. Small and mid-size producers face a lack of access to the types of processing, storage, and distribution infrastructure utilized by industrial-scale farms. Increasing network coordination and investing in mid-scale infrastructure is needed to expand local production and increase service to wholesale & institutional markets.

    No presentations to share

    Moderated by Alexis Molinari (Lane County Farmers Market).

    Presenters

    • Shelley Schuler, Lane County Bounty

    • Sonya Brown, Lane County Farmers Market

  • Schools are well positioned to provide essential services and resources to students and families - including food. Participants learned about innovative farm to school, school-based food pantries, and school farm-to-cafeteria programs.

    Food in Schools Presentation (slides)

    Moderated by Patrick Newson (Oregon Farm to School & School Garden Network).

    Presenters

    • Sue Wilson, Mapleton School District

    • Jillian Drewes, OSU Extension

    • Jill Cuadros, Eugene 4J School District

  • A Food Security map developed by FOOD for Lane County, the University of Oregon and Lane Council of Governments is helping to visualize food security barriers and opportunities.

    Moderated by Carrie Copeland (FOOD for Lane County).

    Presenters

    • Kyle Overstake, Lane Council of Governments

    • Dani Dolphin & Holden Eastman, Students at the University of Oregon

  • PDF to download