Networking Reception

Jump-start your EXPO experience with Big Shoulders Coffee, trail mix from Farmer’s Fridge (our Good Food Business of the Year), and the opportunity to socialize and exchange business cards with speakers, entrepreneurs, buyers, farmers, policymakers and other Good Food advocates.

Opening Symposium: 15 Years of Good Food

Celebrating 15 Years of Good Food 

Good Food, defined as delicious food produced as locally as possible using sustainable, humane and fair practices, was hard to find when the Good Food EXPO was launched in 2004. Today, Good Food is a major factor, driven by fast-growing consumer demand. After remarks from Charlotte Flinn and Jim Slama of FamilyFarmed, Dave Donnan — longtime global food and beverage lead for the A.T. Kearney management consulting firm (and Family Farmed Board member) — will provide his expert retrospective to open the 15th Anniversary EXPO. Walter Robb will follow to discuss the influence on the Good Food movement of Whole Foods Market, where he long held the title of co-CEO.

• Dave Donnan, Global Lead, AT Kearney Food and Beverage Group
• Walter Robb, Stonewall Robb Advisors, Executive in Residence at S2G
and former Co-CEO, Whole Foods Market
• Charlotte Flinn, Board Chair, FamilyFarmed
• Jim Slama, CEO FamilyFarmed, Good Food Accelerator, Good Food EXPO

Good Food Leadership Awards 

FamilyFarmed’s Jim Slama will present the annual Good Food Business of the Year Award and the Good Food Advocate Award.

• Jim Slama, CEO FamilyFarmed, Good Food Accelerator, Good Food EXPO
• Good Food Business of the Year: Luke Saunders, Founder and CEO, Farmer’s Fridge
• Good Food Advocate: Arthur Neal, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

Naturally Chicago Launch

A lineup of Good Food Industry all-stars joins Jim Slama to introduce an important new FamilyFarmed program.

• Brandon Barnholt, CEO, KeHE Distributors
• Anu Goel, President, Client Growth Solutions, SPINS
• Carlotta Mast, Market Manager and Senior Vice President, New Hope Network; Board President, Naturally Boulder
• Jim Slama, CEO and Founder, FamilyFarmed
• Alison Velazquez, CEO and Founder, Skinny Souping
• Milt Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, Presence Marketing 

New Markets for Local Food Producers

Securing profitable relationships with buyers is one of the biggest challenges for local food producers — especially the small to medium-sized farms and companies that drive the Good Food movement. Leaders from across the Good Food buyer spectrum discuss how these producers can break through so they can thrive and grow.

• Jim Slama, CEO and Founder, FamilyFarmed
• Irv Cernauskas, Owner, Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks and Fresh Picks Farmer Alliance
• Kelly Cosgrove, New Business Development Director, Fortune Fish & Gourmet
• Melissa Flynn, Executive Director, Green City Market
• Stacie Sopinka, Senior Vice President Innovation & Quality, US Foods
• Bill Stavrou, Founder at Foodhaul

Bringing Farm to Table Back to the Forefront

“Farm to table” chefs such as Jason Hammel (FamilyFarmed’s 2019 Good Food Chef of the Year), Rick Bayless, Paul Kahan, Sarah Stegner and Paul Virant played a huge role in fueling Chicago’s Good Food movement. A few years ago, farm-to-table looked like it had become almost a cliché for restaurants. But anecdotal evidence is showing that local sourcing may be slipping as a culinary priority. Mitchell Davis, who has a long history of innovation at the James Beard Foundation, addresses what needs to be done to re-energize farm to table.

• Mitchell Davis, Chief Strategy Officer, James Beard Foundation

Farmer of the Year Award Presented by Routes to Farm
No spoilers here… you need to attend the announcement of the winner!

*all presenters are subject to change.

12:15-1:15 p.m.       

Regenerative Agriculture: Improving Soil, Capturing Carbon

MODERATOR:
• Erin Meyer, Dietitian and Owner, Basil’s Harvest

PANELISTS:
• John Steven Bianucci, Director of Impact, Iroquois Valley Farms
• Mallory Krieger, Farmer Training Manager, The Land Connection
• Harold Wilken, Owner, Janie’s Farm and The Mill at Janie’s Farm

This panel features organizations that are promoting regenerative agriculture to grow food, restore farm resilience and biodiversity, protect the environment, and create opportunities for communities.

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Hemp Renaissance

MODERATOR:
• Liz Rupel, Policy Organizer, Illinois Stewardship Alliance

PANELISTS:
• Rachel Berry, CEO, Illinois Hemp Growers Association, and Farmer
• Mike Harshfield, President & Chief Operating Officer, BLMG Holdings LLC
• Stuart Herman, Senior Consultant, HG Horticulture Consulting
• Jarintzy Lua, Hemp Cultivator and Researcher

In 2018, Illinois became the 38th state to legalize industrial hemp, and the federal government legalized commercial product of hemp products in the new farm bill. Learn about opportunities to launch a new cash crop, navigate production, and prepare for the challenges ahead.

2:45-3:45 p.m.

The Growing Demand for Better Grain

MODERATOR:
• Greg Wade, Head Baker, Publican Quality Bread

PANELISTS:
• Rachel Bernier-Green, Owner, ‘Laine’s Bake Shop
• Sandra Holl, Executive Chef & Co-Founder, Floriole
• Ellen King, Co-Owner & Director, Hewn
• Julie Rowin, M.D., Clinical Private Practice, Westchester, Illinois
• Gilbert Williams, Owner, Lonesome Stone Milling

Demand for better grain and flour among bakers, distillers, brewers, food processors, and consumers is rising. This panel features users and advocates talking about opportunities and challenges in this fast-rising sector.

4:00-5:00 p.m.

The Road to Safe and Reliable Food Sources

MODERATOR:
• Will Madden, Co-Founder, Whole Brain Consulting

PANELISTS:
• Leslie Fowler, CEO & President, FarmLogix
• Brandon Hernandez, Co-Founder, Whole Brain Consulting
• Jamie Moore, Director of Sourcing and Sustainability, Parkhurst Dining

Experts on this panel provide an overview of processes that food businesses should follow to ensure a safe local food supply for foodservice locations.

12:15-1:15 p.m.

Farm to Table: Keeping It Real

MODERATOR:
• Mitchell Davis, Chief Strategy Officer, James Beard Foundation

PANELISTS:
• Casey Cora, Media Director, Frontera Farmer Foundation
• Greg Gunthorp, Owner, Gunthorp Farms
• Dave Rand, Co-Founder & COO, Local Foods
• Amy Randazzo, Owner, Grani’s Acres

This panel explores how restaurants and farmers can build their relationships, design seasonal menus, tell why eating local food is better — and ensure diners that they are keeping farm-to-table real.

1:30-2:30 p.m.

City in a Garden: Chicago and Urban Farming

MODERATOR:
• Harry Rhodes, Executive Director Emeritus, Growing Home

PANELISTS:
• Laura Calvert, Executive Director, Advocates for Urban Agriculture
• Eliza Fournier, Urban Youth Programs Director, Windy City Harvest/Chicago Botanic Garden
• Micheál Newman-Brooks, Project Manager of Urban Agriculture, City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development

Thriving farms have risen in Chicago, but the high cost of land and environmental factors thwart some promising growers. This panel features leaders who are working to help urban farmers overcome obstacles.

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Patience is Virtue in Organic Conversion

PANELISTS:

• Jackie Davis-Slay, Director Public and Private Partnership, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Adam DeGroot, President, DeGroot Logistics
• John Steven Bianucci, Director of Impact, Iroquois Valley Farms
• Harold Wilken, Owner, Janie’s Farm and The Mill at Janie’s Farm
• Leilani Zimmer-Durand, Vice President of Educational Initiatives, Midwestern BioAg

Conversion to organic farming can provide farmers with growth and greater financial viability as market demand increases, but it is hard work. This panel of experts shares best practices.

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Mind Your Ps: The 4 Ps of Wasted Food Solutions

MODERATOR:
• Stephanie Katsaros, Founder & President, Bright Beat

PANELISTS:
• Douglas Bradley, Vice President of Culinary, Savor…Chicago, McCormick Place
• Brendan Kitt, Food Resources Development Manager, Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Andrew Klink, Site Manager, Midwest Organics Recycling
• Jennifer Nelson, Program Manager, Seven Generations Ahead

This panel will highlight findings and outcomes of The Illinois Wasted Food Solutions Task Force and teach the audience how to “be the change” of reducing waste.

12:15-1:15 p.m.

Sampling 101

MODERATOR:
• Denise Mackowiak, Vice President of Operations, Custom Merchandising Services, Inc. (CMS)  

PANELISTS:
• LaForce Baker, Founder & Executive Chef, Moon Meals, Inc.
• Megan Klein, President, Here
• Buddy Levin, Local Purchasing Associate Coordinator, Whole Foods Market

This panel will discuss the effectiveness of in-store product demos, plus new and innovative ideas for retailers that incorporate in-store sampling.

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Shelf Space and How to Get It

MODERATOR:
• Patrick Nycz, Founding President, NewPoint Marketing

PANELISTS:
• Kelly Cosgrove, New Business Development Director, Fortune Fish & Gourmet
• Buddy Levin, Local Purchasing Associate Coordinator, Whole Foods Market
• Tyler Lowell, Managing Partner, C.A. Fortune
• Katie Paul, Executive Director, KeHE Distributors
• Julie Smolyansky, CEO, Lifeway Foods

All food entrepreneurs think their products will wow consumers. Knowing how merchandisers think — and the kind of products they believe consumers are seeking — is crucial to getting grocery shelf placement.

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Go to Market Like a Pro

PRESENTER:
• Michael Movitz, Founder and Managing Partner, The Movitz Group  

The 4 Ps marketing mix (Product, Place, Price, Promotion) is outdated. The Movitz Group Model of Brand Prosperity is based on seven critical roots: Purpose, Positioning, Pathway, People, Production, Promotion, and Pricing.

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Attracting E-Commerce Customers

MODERATOR:
• Kara Hanninen, CEO & Founder, Craveity Marketing 

PANELISTS:
• Kate Field, Founder, The Kombucha Shop
• Steve Gaither, President, JB Chicago/C.A. Fortune
• Arn Grashoff, Vice President of Marketing & Merchandising, Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
• Ryan Pintado-Vertner, Founder, Smoketown, LLC

E-commerce allows early-stage food businesses to go to market quickly at a relatively low cost. But how exactly do you get started, and what are the best approaches for capturing your first e-commerce customers?

12:15-1:15 p.m.

Incubating and Accelerating Good Food Entrepreneurs

MODERATOR
• Shelby Parchman, Growth & Innovation Strategist, FamilyFarmed

PANELISTS:
• Tommy Gordon, Director of Partnerships & Pipeline, Relish Works
• Kenya Merritt, Chief Small Business Officer, City of Chicago
• Elle Ramel, Director of Development, Farpoint Development/Amped Kitchens
• Kelly Reinke, Springboard Incubator Lead, The Kraft Heinz Company
• Natalie Shmulik, CEO, The Hatchery Chicago

The Chicago Good Food sector is booming, in part because there have never been so many opportunities for early-stage entrepreneurs to gain professional support, instruction, guidance and mentorship.

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Women Leaders in Food

MODERATOR
• Lindsey Cox, Senior Promotions Marketing Manager, Organic Valley

PANELISTS:
• Kim Feil, Chief Marketing Officer, Aspire Drinks
• Megan Klein, President, Here
• Katrina Markoff, Founder, Vosges Chocolate
• Katlin Smith, Founder and CEO, Simple Mills
• Jenny Yang, Owner, Phoenix Bean/Jenny’s Tofu 

Women — including those on this all-star panel — have gained ground, success and influence in the world of Good Food entrepreneurship. Many of the hottest nationally distributed CPG food companies are woman-owned or woman-led.

2:45-3:45 p.m.

Raising Capital for Your Good Food Business

MODERATOR:
• Dave Donnan, Senior Partner, A.T. Kearney

PANELISTS:
• DD Danforth Burlin, Co-Founder, Sustainable Local Food Investment Group (SLoFIG)
• Peter Kisluk, Senior Vice President, Solutions, KeHE Distributors
• Jay L. Owen, Jr., President, DOM Capital Group
• Mark Thomann, Managing Director, Spiral Sun Ventures

Nearly all early-stage Good Food entrepreneurs need to attract significant sums of capital to launch, grow and succeed. A investor community focused on the Good Food sector has grown exponentially over the past decade.

4:00-5:00 p.m.

There’s Money to be Had: Funding Sources for Farmers and Food Businesses

MODERATOR:
• Raghela Scavuzzo, Local Foods Program Manager, Illinois Farm Bureau

PANELISTS:
• Casey Cora, Media Director, Frontera Farmer Foundation
• Jackie Davis-Slay, Director Public and Private Partnership, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Brian Frieden, Regional Office Director, USDA Risk Management Agency
• Arthur Neal, Deputy Administrator, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service

There are a number of public programs that provide federal, state and sometimes local government assistance to farmers. There are also private sector programs that provide loans and/or grants to farmers who qualify. The crucial part is to make sure the farmers who can benefit are aware that these programs exist.

12:15-1:30 p.m.

Good Food Policy in Illinois

MODERATOR:
• Liz Moran Stelk, Executive Director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance

PANELISTS:
• Eliot Clay, Agriculture and Water Programs Director, Illinois Environmental Council 
• Brenda Rodriguez, Community Partnerships Manager, Chicago Food Policy Action Council
• Marlie Wilson, Good Food Purchasing Project Manager, Chicago Food Policy Action Council

Illinois has a new governor in Democrat J.B. Pritzker, working with an overwhelmingly Democratic-dominated legislature. This panel of Illinois policy experts will present opportunities to support and engage with legislators’ efforts to expanding Good Food across the state.

1:45-3:00 p.m.

Dishing on the Farm Bill: How Food Policies Affect Your Plate

MODERATOR:
• Liz Moran Stelk, Executive Director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance

PANELISTS:
• Wes King, Senior Policy Specialist, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
• Jonathan Coppess, Director, Bock Agriculture Law/Policy Program, University of Illinois
• Aimee Ramirez, Manager of Government Relations, Greater Chicago Food Depository

After a long delay in 2018 caused by efforts in the U.S. House to roll back programs benefiting local and sustainable farmers (and reduce food assistance under the SNAP program), a new Farm Bill — viewed as much more favorable by Good Food advocates — was approved in December and signed into law. Policy experts will break down what the complex farm bill means for producers and consumers.

3:15-4:00 p.m.

State of the Plate: Getting Food on the 2020 Political Agenda

MODERATOR:
• Liz Moran Stelk, Executive Director, Illinois Stewardship Alliance 

PANELISTS:
• Jose Oliva, Co-Director, Food Chain Workers Alliance
• Brenda Rodriguez, Community Partnerships Manager, Chicago Food Policy Action Council

Our national political campaigns have remained mostly silent about the need to build a better food system. National organizations such as the HEAL Food Alliance are working to change that for 2020 — and a new coalition in Illinois is creating a Food Equity Policy platform.

12:15-1:30 p.m.

Good Food Access in Chicago

1:45-3:00 p.m.

How Food Inequity is Affecting Our Children 

MODERATOR:
• Laurie Ouding, Community Health Project Manager/Founder at One Village (Food Matters, LLC); RN Rush University Medical Center 

Inequitable access to healthy, fresh, locally grown, affordable foods is affecting the overall health of many Chicago communities. The panelists will provide case studies, health statistics and their experience in treating children in Chicago and surrounding areas, and will touch on programs throughout the city addressing these issues.

3:15-4:00 p.m.

Chicago Good Food Purchasing Policy Update

MODERATOR:
• Marlie Wilson, Good Food Purchasing Project Manager at Chicago Food Policy Action Council

PANELISTS:
• Dr. Daniel Block, Professor of Geography and Director of the Neighborhood Assistance Center, Chicago State University
• Jennifer Herd, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Chicago Department of Public Health
• Fred Lechlitner, Sales, Miller Poultry
• Allison Polke, Registered Dietitian at Chicago Public Schools Nutrition Support Services and Office of Student Health and Wellness

In 2017, Chicago enacted a landmark law creating a Good Food Purchasing Policy. This panel’s experts are closely involved in designing and implementing the law, and will provide an update on the policy and the opportunities it affords local producers.