Santa Fe College hosts Heritage Foods Symposium to promote local agriculture

Press release from Santa Fe College

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Santa Fe College will host the Heritage Foods Symposium, a day dedicated to enhancing access and expanding opportunities for small farms, farmers markets, gardens, and community education across Florida. The event will take place on Friday, Aug. 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Charles L. Blount Center, located at 530 W. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601.

The day will begin with coffee and registration from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., followed by a keynote address from Dr. Jennifer Taylor of Florida A&M University (FAMU). Dr. Taylor will discuss various growing initiatives and sustainable farming resources available throughout the state.

Attendees can then participate in a series of workshops and presentations from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The symposium will conclude with a closing address by Dr. Anna Prizzia, Commissioner for District 3 in Alachua County. The day’s events will be followed by a mixer at Cypress & Grove Brewery.

The symposium is presented by The Florida Heritage Foods Project, a community-focused educational initiative that emphasizes the historical, cultural, nutritional, and culinary significance of crops integral to Florida’s diverse heritage. This project helps students connect with Florida’s history through food while fostering a more sustainable local food system. Developed by a team of community college faculty and staff, it utilizes various teaching tools to engage students in discussions on local food security, public service, and multiculturalism, both inside and outside the classroom.

To learn more about how this initiative is being showcased, everyone is encouraged to register for free tickets to this year’s Heritage Foods Symposium on its event page.