For Ecolog readers interested in the links among sustainability, food, and health.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Pittsburgh, PA, October 13, 2011: The symposium Feeding the Spirit: Museums, Food & Community<http://futureofmuseums.org/events/lecture/2011symposium.cfm> will explore three themes: how museums can increase food literacy in their communities, to help people make informed choices about health and nutrition; how museums can bring their own food services into alignment with their values about health and sustainability while improving their own bottom line; and how museums can use food to reach out to new audiences and strengthen their ties to their community. A vital and interesting mix of attendees from museums and other sectors (health, food, policy, etc.) will contribute to a lively discussion that will help create a discussion and resource guide that the American Association of Museums will use in the coming year to engage museums and their communities more deeply in these issues. The keynote lecturer is Jessica Harris<http://africooks.com/jessicas_bio.shtml>, scholar, cook, author and historian of African American food traditions. Her most recent book is High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America. The thought leaders for the symposium are: Jeannette Ickovics<http://cira.med.yale.edu/about_us/bios.asp?PID=481>, Yale School of Public Health, who is curating a major exhibit at the Peabody Museum of Natural History called "Big Food," on the science, anthropology and policy issues of the obesity epidemic Elizabeth Meltz<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elizabeth-meltz>, Director of Food Safety and Sustainability, (Mario) Batali/Bastianich Hospitality Group, who will speak on creating green food services Erika Allen,<http://www.postcarbon.org/person/36210-erika-allen> national outreach coordinator for Growing Power, a community service/food justice organization based in Milwaukee and Chicago. For more information, and registration information, visit http://www.futureofmuseums.org/events/lecture/2011symposium.cfm
