ONE-DAY CONFERENCE, STATE OF THE PLATE DC,
BRINGS TOGETHER FARMERS, RESTAURANTS AND THOSE IN BETWEEN TO FOCUS ON SUSTAINABLE MEAT    

---Representative speakers include Food, Inc.'s Robert Kenner, NFL player and Animal Welfare Approved® farmer Will Witherspoon,
Todd and Ellen Gray and Nora Pouillon--

Washington, DC-George Washington University's Urban Food Task Force, Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) have joined forces by providing a platform for DC's vibrant culinary community to focus on strengthening the supply chain for sustainably raised meat.

The State of the Plate DC daylong conference is set for Monday, October 17, 2011 at George Washington University's Marvin Center and will feature a series of panels and notable speakers, focused on sharing best practices, information, and strategies. The event is designed for chefs, restaurateurs, distributors, farmers, ranchers, food leaders, students, faculty and those interested in the topic.

Ultimately, producers want to sell meat and restaurants want to buy it.  This event will allow both producers and chefs/restaurant owners to discuss the terms of the trade via lively discussions, and then potentially engage in actual deal-making that satisfies the needs of both groups. Designed to share information in a positive format, focus will be on sustainable farming, animal product preparation, the myths and realities of food labeling, and supply chain management.

This event is organized by Animal Welfare Approved, the industry leader in auditing and certifying family farms that raise their animals sustainably, outdoors on pasture or range according to the highest welfare standards.  The co-organizer is Educated Eats (the education foundation arm of RAMW), dedicated to creating the next generation of culinary professionals.  The George Washington University's Urban Food Task Force is the event's key collaborator.   

 
Tickets: $55 includes continental breakfast and boxed lunch from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  Advance registration is required. Seating is limited so be sure to register early. Visit  www.StateofthePlateDC.net  to register online. From 5:00-6:30 pm a sustainable meat tasting reception will bring together members of the RAMW with farmers, distributors and processors.  

 Among those participating are...

"DC chefs are increasingly renowned for their commitment to top-quality, sustainable, healthy, and delicious foods. I'm delighted to see more of them entering the dialogue about sustainable and high-welfare farming. State of the Plate DC fits well with the mission of George Washington's Urban Food Task Force; it offers hands-on opportunities for chefs and producers to work together in advancing the conversation about food policy and action," says Diane Robinson Knapp, Chair, The George Washington University Urban Food Task Force.

Animal Welfare Approved program director Andrew Gunther added, "We believe that attendees will gain a better understanding of the challenges and rewards of developing sustainable food supply chains, but even more importantly, participants will have the opportunity to meet with and taste products from farmers already delivering solutions."