Food + Justice = Democracy

Get ready to change the story.

Food + Justice = Democracy is a national meeting like no other. Led by a national steering committee of food justice activists, the agenda elevates the food stories of communities of color and tribal nations. With this grounding, participants will co-create a national food justice platform to push our government and our political leaders to prioritize a fair, just and healthy food system.

Think you know the whole story? Think again.

For most people in the U.S., our knowledge of the food system comes from supermarkets and corporate advertising campaigns. The dominant narrative of our food system—that it is healthy and efficient—is inaccurate, incomplete and deceptive. Even the most popular “alternative” stories—that of idyllic farms supplying produce to local co-ops or organic cafés—provide an incomplete vision of what is needed and what is possible.

The full impact of the food system on the people who live and work throughout the food chain—particularly people of color, from the fields, to the processing plants, to the supermarkets, to the plate—is hidden. The lack of these stories being heard, and therefore considered in policy and planning processes, reinforces health inequities and the current legacy of historical injustices.

Raise up the stories, build a network, change the policy.

Get ready to go beyond Food Justice 101, and get ready to work together:

Luminaries such as Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison , and Pulitzer Prize–winning author and filmmaker Douglas Blackmon will set the narratives for each day’s agenda.

, and Pulitzer Prize–winning author and filmmaker will set the narratives for each day’s agenda. Instead of routine breakouts, People’s Assembly sessions will connect you with your fellow participants in building on the day’s narrative and crafting elements of a national food justice platform. Leaders in their fields, including representatives from Food First, Why Hunger, and the Center for New Community, will facilitate productive conversation on topics such as reconnecting with the land, creating a toxic-free food system, and working through historical trauma.

sessions will connect you with your fellow participants in building on the day’s narrative and crafting elements of a national food justice platform. Leaders in their fields, including representatives from Food First, Why Hunger, and the Center for New Community, will facilitate productive conversation on topics such as reconnecting with the land, creating a toxic-free food system, and working through historical trauma. The participants in each People’s Assembly will contribute their input towards the Food Justice Pledge, the collectively created national platform that is one of the aims of this gathering. You’ll decide how to commit to advancing this platform in community and policy arenas, and what role to play in the network.

How can I join?

Pre-registration for the Food + Justice = Democracy conference is closed. Same-day registration is available at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Monday September 24.

Conference fees for same day registration are as follows:

Whole conference: $200

Monday only: $90

Tuesday only: $75

Wednesday only: $75

Unfortunately, we cannot offer lunch to same day registrants, because of hotel catering deadlines.

Please note that those who cannot afford the full price should speak to the IATP staff at the registrations table.

Consideration of scholarships has closed. We are pleased to have disbursed over 50 partial scholarships and over 50 full scholarships.

Transportation

Lightrail: The MetroTransit lightrail is available from MSP directly to downtown Minneapolis. The rate is $2.25 during Rush Hours (Mon-Fri, 6:00-9:00am and 3:00-6:30pm) and $1.75 at all other times, including all day on weekends. Purchase a ticket using cash or credit card from the ticket machine on the station platform. You must pay for your ride before boarding the train. From Terminal 1 (Lindberg), the lightrail takes 24 minutes to reach downtown Minneapolis and departs approximately every 10-15 minutes depending on the time of day. Once you reach downtown, the walk to the hotel is 0.23 miles.

Walking Directions and Map:



Exit on the Nicollet Mall Station (green dot).

Walk a short distance NW on 5th St S.

Turn left on Nicollet Mall.

Walk approximately 2 blocks SW on Nicollet Mall.

Turn right on 7th St S.

Walk a short distance NW to 35 7th St S, Radisson Plaza (red dot).

Bus: MetroTransit bus service is available in and around the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, including limited “Free Ride” buses (50 cents on others) on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Bus rates outside of downtown are $2.25 during Rush Hours (Mon-Fri, 6:00-9:00am and 3:00-6:30pm) and $1.75 at all other times, including all day on weekends. Use the online Trip Planner to view routes and times. You may also reach MetroTransit via phone at (612) 373-3333.

SuperShuttle: From MSP to Radisson Plaza the cost is $17.00 for the Shared Ride Van Service. Reservations can be made in advance by calling (800) 258-3826 and must be pre-paid via credit card. Walk up shuttle service is available at both terminals at MSP and may be paid in cash or by credit card. In Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) follow the Hotel Shuttles sign near the baggage claim to the SuperShuttle desk. In Terminal 2 (Humphrey) exit the baggage claim, cross to the shuttle area and use the courtesy phone to receive service.

Taxi: Taxicab service is available at both terminals at MSP. Downtown Minneapolis is approximately 12 miles from the airport, so fares average $38-$49.

Terminal 1 (Lindbergh): Taxi service is accessible via the Tram Level (Level T). Follow signs one level up to the taxi starter booth, where airport staff will assist passengers in obtaining a taxi.

Terminal 2 (Humphrey): Taxi service is available at the Ground Transport Center, located on the ground level of the Purple parking ramp directly across from the terminal building.

To return to MSP via taxi, IATP recommends Rainbow Taxi. They can be reached at (612) 332-1615.

Parking: Overnight parking is available for attendees who are staying at Radisson Plaza. The cost is $19 (+tax) per night (Sun-Thurs), and includes a voucher which allows “in/out” privileges during the day. Daily parking is based on an hourly rate, and usually runs about $14 for a day, with a $19 maximum.

Additional parking is available nearby.

Park and Shop Ramp (24 8th St S, 2 blocks from Radisson): 4-24 hours ($13)

LaSalle Court Parking (811 Lasalle Ave, 3 blocks from Radisson): 4-24 hours ($13)

Downtown Auto Park (413 Nicollet Mall, 3 blocks from Radisson): Early Bird, enter between 5 and 9am ($6.00/day)

Downtown Auto Park (910 LaSalle Ave, 4 blocks from Radisson): Early Bird, enter between 5 and 8:30am ($8.99/day)

Biking: Biking is allowed in all of downtown Minneapolis, but cyclists are encouraged to use Nicollet Mall or Hennepin Avenue or other streets with bicycle lanes. Bicycle maps, including details about where bike lanes are located, can be found online. Attendees who are from out of town or do not have access to a bicycle can also try out Nice Ride, the Twin Cities bike sharing program. Several stations are located within a 0.5 mile radius of the hotel.

A limited number of bike racks are available on sidewalks in downtown Minneapolis, with the closest being on 7th St, just off Nicollet Mall next to the GAP (1 block from hotel).

Additionally, all MetroTransit buses and trains have bike racks, so attendees can also combine transit and biking as a way to get to the conference.

Overview

Agenda

FOOD + JUSTICE = DEMOCRACY

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

8:00 am Opening Session with Music and Movement 8:30 am Elder Blessing

Mother Atum, Bill Means, Imam (invited), Rev. Pat Williamson 9:00 am Jim Harkness, IATP and LaDonna Redmond, IATP 10:00 am Reclaiming the Narrative

Historical Trauma and Tribal Nations and Communities of color

Sam Simmons, Simmons Consulting

Healing from Historical Trauma

Sam Grant and Zea Leguizamon, Movement Center for Deep Democracy 10:30 am Congressman Keith Ellison, MN 5th Congressional District 11:00 am First Nations Ways of Knowing Land

Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot), Food and Community Fellow 12:30 pm Music and Movement

Lunch 1:30 – 4:00 pm PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY SESSIONS—concurrent facilitated gatherings around various topics to inform & co-create the People’s Food Justice Pledge 5:00 pm Sankofa’s Kitchen – Return to the Kitchen of our Ancestors

Sankofa’s Kitchen is a reception with program, featuring hors d’oeuvres in a tasting menu based on Ojibwe, Dakota and indigenous African foods.

Bill Means (Dakota), International Indigenous Treaty Council,

Valerie Martinez (Ojibwe and Dineh) Women’s Environmental Institute 7:00 pm Movie: Dakota 38

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

8:00 am Elder Blessing

Iyanifa Songoeniola, Louis Alemayehu 8:15 am Music and Movement 8:30 am Framework: LaDonna Redmond, IATP 9:00 am African Americans ways of knowing land

Rose Brewer, PhD, University of Minnesota, Afro-eco

Malik Yakini, Food and Community Fellow, Detroit Black Food Policy Council 10:30 am Break with Movement 10:45 am Youth ways of knowing land and food

Afro-eco youth

Hector Gomez, Independent Film Maker

Green Team 11:15 am Lunch Keynote 12:30 pm Break with music & movement 12:45 pm Somali community and ways of knowing food

Hiba Sharif, Health Commons

Abdi Jibril, Health Commons 1:15 pm Hmong people and ways of knowing land

Palee Yang, CAPI, Centre for Asian and Pacific Islanders

Hli Xyooj, Farmers Legal Action Group 2:00 pm PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY SESSIONS 4:30 pm Dinner on your own: A taste of Minneapolis 7: 00 pm

7:15 pm Short Introduction of Speaker Douglas Blackmon

Film : Slavery by Another Name 8:30 pm Afro-Latin-Funk Dance Party!!!!!!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

8:00 am Opening – Tou Saiko Lee

Music Movement 8:30 am Elder Blessing 8:45 am Danza Mexica (invited not confirmed) 9:00 am Introduction -

Douglas Blackmon, Author, Slavery by Another Name 10:00 am Modern Day Slavery and our food system

Joanne Lo, Food Chain Workers Alliance

Charlotte Williams, Center for New Community

CIW Fair and Just Pledge

Centro Campesino 11:00 am Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, Main Street Project Noon Working Lunch – FINAL PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY SESSIONS 1:00 pm Peoples Assembly Presentation of Food Justice Pledge 3:00 – 3:30 pm close

Registration

Pre-registration for the Food + Justice = Democracy conference is closed. Same-day registration is available at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Minneapolis, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Monday September 24.

Conference fees for same day registration are as follows:

Whole conference: $200

Monday only: $90

Tuesday only: $75

Wednesday only: $75

Unfortunately, we cannot offer lunch to same day registrants, because of hotel catering deadlines.

Please note that those who cannot afford the full price should speak to the IATP staff at the registrations table.