Northeast Farm to Institution Summit
Theme: Belonging
April 7 - 9, 2025 in Portland, Maine
“The root of all inequality is the process of othering – and its solution is the practice of belonging.”
In times of uncertainty—when federal funding is in question, equity initiatives are being challenged, and food system instability is growing—it’s more important than ever to come together. As a network, we continue to adapt, support one another, and remain committed to a just, equitable, and regenerative food system. Thanks to generous sponsors, engaged partners, and dedicated funders, we are moving forward with resolve.
This year’s Summit visual identity was designed by artist Jordan Parks who lives and works in Portland, Maine. See more about this beautiful piece.
In their book Belonging Without Othering, authors john a powell and Stephen Menendian write, “We all yearn for connection and community, but we live in a time when calls for further division along the well-wrought lines of religion, race, ethnicity, caste, and sexuality are pervasive. This ubiquitous yet elusive problem feeds on fears–created, inherited–of the ‘other.’” Their new approach encourages us to turn toward one another in unprecedented and radical ways.
How do we practice belonging to create a just, equitable, and regenerative food system? As we gather in person at the 2025 Northeast Farm to Institution Summit—as we “turn toward one another,”—we reflect on who has been othered, and how we can use curiosity as an antidote against fear of the other. How do we create spaces, projects, and policies for everyone in our complex institutional food system? Join us to dig deeply into how we build community and a better regional food system through a practice of belonging.
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About the Event
Where: Portland, Maine at the Holiday Inn-by-the-Bay
When: April 7-9, 2025
Since the first gathering in 2015, the Northeast Farm to Institution Summit has become a seminal event for a dynamic network of communities, organizations, and institutions working together to create a just, equitable, and regenerative food system in New England and beyond. This network includes those who are impacted by the decisions and actions made through this movement/work; those working to leverage the power of institutions and institutional value chains to change the food system; and those who hold power and resources in the institutional value chain and food system.
More than 500 participants typically attend, including but not limited to; food service operators, producers, supply chain businesses, advocates, public officials, educators, funders, and students.
We recognize that the inequities in our food system impact some communities more than others. We strive to host an event that is informed by, participated in, and has a positive impact on the following priority impacted communities:
Farms, producers, and food businesses, with an emphasis on those who have been structurally excluded from funding, resources, and decision making. This may include BIPOC-led food orgs, farms and food businesses; immigrant and refugee farmers and food businesses; and tribal and indigenous-led food initiatives.
Communities and eaters who are impacted by institutional food systems and/or rely on institutions for a majority of their food and nutrients, with an emphasis on communities facing food apartheid.
Schedule at a Glance
Monday, April 7, 2025
Field Trips
5 pm Reception
Tuesday April 8, 2025
8 am Breakfast & Registration
9 am Welcome & Keynote
10:30 Workshops
12:30 pm Lunch & Exhibit Hall
2 pm Workshops
3 pm Exhibit Hall
4 pm Workshops
5 pm Dinner on your Own
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
8 am Breakfast
9 am Plenary
10:15 am Workshops
12:15 Lunch & Exhibit Hall
1:15 Workshops
2:15 Closing Plenary
“...such an amazing and inspiring conference. Many of the connections I made there are proving to be transformative for our work at Boston Farms.”
BECOME A sponsor
Sponsors of the 2025 Northeast Farm to Institution Summit are leaders
working to build a just, resilient, and sustainable food system in our region.
Your support makes this event possible.
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