Northeastern Meat System Discussion

Eat Local Sudbury in cooperation with OMAFRA and the Rural Agri-Innovation Network, will be hosting in person and via webinar discussion on the status of the meat system in North Eastern Ontario, what can be done to address barriers to growth and to learn from others in the field with similar experiences.

AGENDA

• 4:30-5:30 Presentation by Abra Brynne for BC Food Systems Network on process for change in British Columbia.  Abra comes from rural British Columbia where for over 6 years she worked hand in hand with farmer, processors and government to troubleshoot the regulatory barriers and challenges facing the rural meat system across the province. Through the work that she was involved in, solutions were found to improve market access of farm raised meats and a marriage between needs of agri-food businesses and regulatory bodies was found, providing functional solutions to system problems. Abra has a strong knowledge of rural meat systems and the obstacles that are faced by farmers trying to work within a system designed for urban centers rather than dispersed populations.
• 5:30-6:00 Break for Dinner
• 6:00-7:00 Evaluations process – Production, Processing, Distribution and Marketing. Going sub-sector by sub-sector, identifying the barriers to growth in the industry.
• 7:00-8:00 Connecting the Dots – collaborative approach to building solutions. Identify specific tasks and strategies that we need to take on to overcome barriers to the meat system development.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE THERE

• To learn strategies address barriers to growth in the sector
• To discuss what is working and what isn’t working in the regional sector
• To define collaborative solutions to challenges