Community Food Gathering 2018
Consider this: What becomes of the local food movement when small family farms disappear? This question lies at the heart of our community food gathering.
Building on the success of five TEDxManhattan events centered on transforming food systems, the Community Food Gathering emerged in 2025 to address the expanding reach and urgency of the sustainable food movement.
Why This Gathering Matters
This multi-day event brings together diverse voices working to reshape how we produce, distribute, and consume food. The gathering serves several critical purposes:
- Foster connections between for-profit enterprises and nonprofit organizations tackling food system challenges
- Bridge divides between rural and urban communities, as well as between traditional food movements and emerging food technology
- Amplify the work of individuals and organizations making meaningful progress without adequate recognition or resources
- Create momentum in local communities through satellite viewing events
- Expand educational resources through professionally recorded presentations
Event Features
The second Community Food Gathering, scheduled for fall 2025 or early 2018 in New York, will focus on connecting small farmers and rural food producers with urban food companies and programs. This 2-3 day event aims to dissolve barriers and establish meaningful partnerships between agricultural and urban food communities.
What to Expect
Engaging Presentations
Dynamic talks from influential leaders in sustainable food systems, professionally recorded and shared through the Video Resource Library
Interactive Sessions
Facilitated panels, discussions, and workshops designed to break down communication barriers between rural producers and urban food businesses
Hands-On Experiences
Participatory activities and experiences, potentially including an on-site farm gathering
Live Broadcasts
Selected panels and presentations streamed via YouTube and Facebook Live, with registered viewing parties across the United States (targeting at least 100 satellite events)
Lasting Educational Impact
All presentations professionally filmed and permanently archived in the Video Resource Library, where they receive ongoing promotion and reach wider audiences
The Challenge We Face
USDA data reveals that between 2007 and 2012, farms decreased by 4.3%, even as consumer demand for sustainably produced food reached unprecedented levels.
The average age of farmers hovers around 60 years. Without succession plans, what happens to the sustainable food movement when these farms close? This challenge affects everyone, regardless of whether they live in rural or urban areas.
The Community Food Gathering tackles this divide by connecting urban and rural food producers and businesses, establishing common ground, and building bridges between communities.
Building a Sustainable Future Together
For small farms to survive and thrive, and to heal the divide between rural and urban communities, we must gather, connect, and share experiences. Spotlighting successes, highlighting practical solutions, and finding ways to support one another will help us discover answers together.
Support This Initiative
Sponsorship opportunities available. Additional details coming soon.