Animal Welfare Approved and Alfred State College Host Summit to Plan Food Supply...

Animal Welfare Approved and Alfred State College Host Summit to Plan Food
Supply Chain From Western New York State to New York City

ALFRED, N.Y., April 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Animal Welfare Approved and
Alfred State College will bring New York City chefs and food purveyors
together with local farmers and agricultural experts at an April 23 summit to
plan a supply chain from western New York State farms to the New York City
market.

"New York City consumers want more from their food these days in addition to
great taste and good nutrition," said Bill Telepan, owner and chef of the
renowned Manhattan restaurant that carries his name and who will be a speaker
at the summit. "They want to know who raised it and how. And I want that,
too."

But even the most dedicated retail buyer or chef is having a difficult time
providing what customers want and are frustrated by the lack of a consistent
supply chain to the tables of New York City. The day-long series of panel
discussions will address the issues the two groups face and explore solutions.
"There are great farmers producing terrific meat, dairy and eggs right in my
own state and I'm having trouble getting their products," Telepan remarked.
"It's a dilemma desperate for an answer."

Other participants at the summit include David Schuttenberg, executive chef of
the Manhattan restaurant Cabrito (Zac Pelaccio group); Patrick Martins and
Jeremy Hirsch of Heritage Foods USA, a New York City-based distributor of
sustainable heritage breed products; Nicholas D'Agostino III, president and
COO of D'Agostino Supermarkets, a presence in New York City for 75 years; Tom
Sleight, executive director of the New York Farm Viability Institute, a
partner for the event; Tom Tolputt of Cornish River Valley Meat in the UK, who
will talk about British efforts and successes in reaching the London market;
J.H. Bahn, national program leader, USDA-CSREES, Washington, D.C.; western New
York State farmers Willard DeGolyer,Mary-HowellMartens and Klaas Martens;Greg
Bowman, communications manager for the Rodale Institute; Dr. Patricia
Whisnant, president of the American Grassfed Association; and Judith LaBelle,
president of Glynwood Center.

"Our farmers look to us for innovative solutions for the issues they face,"
said Alfred State College president Dr. John Anderson. "Partnering with Animal
Welfare Approved to bring together the stakeholders needed to enhance the
marketing and delivery of farm products to New York City is exactly the kind
of results-oriented thinking our students, farmers and community need us to be
doing."

Andrew Gunther, program director of Animal Welfare Approved, agrees. "Farmers
are the backbone of America. We have to help them survive and thrive in the
marketplace."

"Reaching the New York City Market: A Summit on Linking the Supply Chain
between Western New York Farmers and the New York City Market" takes place on
April 23, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Alfred State College.
Complimentary box lunch. RSVP required. Space is limited. To reserve a space,
email info@AnimalWelfareApproved.org or call 202.546.5292.

http://www.animalwelfareapproved.org

SOURCE Animal Welfare Approved

Amy Rutledge of Animal Welfare Approved, +1-202-446-2138,
Amy@AnimalWelfareApproved.org