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April 13-17, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food

Farmt to CACFP Track | CEU Specialty 1 | Beginner

Farm to ECE Panel: Understanding Successful Local Food Purchasing

Hear from four states leading the way in Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) local food purchasing. Understand key skills, training and partnerships needed to support educators and build sustainable Farm to ECE local buying systems. Learn how they tackled challenges, engaged stakeholders and integrated local food into early childhood settings for long-term impact.

  1. Identify and compare different Farm to ECE local food purchasing models.
  2. Understand skills and training needed for seasonal food purchasing.
  3. Recognize key partners to sustain and grow Farm to ECE systems.

Presented by

Dara Bloom Web

Dara Bloom, PhD, MS

Associate Professor, Local Foods Extension Specialist, Assistant Director, Central for Environmental Farming Systems, North Carolina State University

Gary Fehr Web

Gary Fehr, MS

Farm to School ECE Consultant, Green School Farms

Kevin Davidson Web

Kevin Davidson

Farm to Early Care and Education Coordinator, Rural Health Network of South Central NY

Lisa Farmer Lauer Web

Lisa Farmer Lauer, MEd

Senior Nutritionist, Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Emia Oppenheim Web

Emia Oppenheim, PhD, MPhil, RDN

Public Health Consultant, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists

Early Registration Rates

$669 Members | $789 Non-Members

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