Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit
7th Annual
Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit
May 21st - 23rd, 2025 | University of Kentucky
Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit & F.E.A.S.T. 2025
We are delighted to share that registration is now open for the 7th Annual Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit! This year’s Summit will bring together local food systems professionals, practitioners, and advocates for one and a half days of keynote conversations, dynamic breakout sessions, and solutions-oriented working groups around cultivating a more connected and vibrant local food system.
This year, The Food Connection and FoodChain are joining forces to combine their two signature events – the Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit and F.E.A.S.T. – into one multi-day event. This combined event features expanded programming for local food systems practitioners across the farm to table spectrum, and culminates in a celebration of local food and fellowship. The Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit has expanded to a two day event, with an inspired and Kentucky-focused program on Day 1, with regional- and nationally-focused programming on Day 2. Food Chain's dynamic F.E.A.S.T. fundraiser closes out this not-to-be-missed event on Day 3.
The Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit x F.E.A.S.T is a celebration of local food farms, and chefs. This partnership is the culmination of seven years of food system development and unites national talent with Kentucky changemakers. We hope you can join us! Grab your tickets today! https://givebutter.com/KLFSSxFEAST2025.
For Cooperative Extension partners, you can register here for KERS Credit.
What can you expect?
Each day is ticketed separately but we hope you can join us for each day of learning, networking, and of course – delicious locally grown food.
Wednesday, May 21 – Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit 2025 (Day 1) – Join us for breakout sessions at The 90 on the University of Kentucky campus followed by The Food Connection Awards + Networking Reception (1-6pm).
Thursday, May 22 – Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit 2025 (Day 2) – Join us at Fasig-Tipton (8am-4:15pm) for a dynamic keynote address, chef and farmer panels, and working group sessions designed to share best practices and opportunities for collaboration. A delicious Kentucky farm forward lunch is included.
Friday, May 23 – F.E.A.S.T. (Day 3) – Join us for F.E.A.S.T at Fasig-Tipton (6-9pm) – an evening of food, fellowship, and fundraising for the future of FoodChain.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!
2025 Schedule of Events
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 1-6 PM: Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit Day 1 at the Food Connection inside The 90 at the University of Kentucky
Join us for coffee and early networking as you get checked in for the Summit!
Welcome to the 7th Annual Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit.
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Cooking demo in The Food Connection Kitchen: What is a Chef's role in fostering a more vibrant and equitable local food system?
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Food is Medicine: How do we center Kentucky farmers and food insecure families?
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Conscious Collaboration: How do we work more synergistically to impact KY farmers?
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Cooking demo in The Food Connection Kitchen: What is a Chef's role in fostering a more vibrant and equitable local food system?
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Scaling Local Food: Federal Investments, Alternative Funding, and Infrastructure Realities
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Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Local Food Systems
Join us as we celebrate local food and farm champions!
Thursday, May 22, 2025 9AM - 4PM: Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit Day 2 at Fasig-Tipton
Summit registration and check-in with coffee and pastries.
Welcome to the 7th annual Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit!
Stay tuned for speaker details.
Enjoy coffee, tea, or water.
Stay tuned for speaker details.
Lunch featuring ingredients from Kentucky Proud farms.
Keynote presented by Tallgrass Farm Foundation. Stay tuned for speaker details.
Recap of insights to set the stage for engaging afternoon breakout sessions, designed to dive deeper into critical topics and foster meaningful discussions.
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Cultivating Inclusion and access in our food system: how do we build spaces where chefs, farmers, food advocates, and practitioners are working towards solutions?
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Why local food needs to be on the table for institutional purchasing and FIM initiatives.
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USDA programs/funding opportunities for small businesses, farms, etc.
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TBA: A fourth group will form from emerging themes and participant interest, offering deeper exploration and collaborative action planning.
Friday, May 23 6-9PM: F.E.A.S.T. 2025 at Fasig-Tipton
An evening of food, fellowship, and fundraising for the future of the FoodChain. F.E.A.S.T. is more than just a food event; it’s a movement to a world where Food Equity & Access Sustains Tomorrow. F.E.A.S.T. began as an initiative of Chef Ouita Michel and 4 of the chefs she met at a James Beard Foundation Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change™. Ouita, Abra, Amy, Jamilka, and Joy bonded over their dedication to changing our food system for the better and all agreed that supporting the work of FoodChain was a great place to start. F.E.A.S.T. then became the cornerstone event supporting FoodChain’s mission.
Find out more here: https://foodchainlex.org/feastforfoodchain2025/
Registration Info
For Cooperative Extension guests, Click here to register your KERS Credit for one or both days.
Registration for Wednesday is $50 per person; it includes Summit attendance, parking, and a networking reception (please bring your ID if you think you may have an alcoholic beverage at the reception).
Registration for Thursday is $100 per person; it includes Summit attendance, parking, all day coffee, and a delicious locally sourced #Kyproud lunch.
Scholarships are available on an as-needed basis. For more information, please contact Dr. Ashton Potter.
Brought to you by:
The 2025 Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit is brought to you by The Food Connection, the FoodChainLex, and Holly Hill and Co.
