‘Syracuse Eats’ Friday at Regional Market

Event showcases SUNY-ESF, SU students’ efforts to re-energize regional food system
5/6/2010

Forty-five students from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and Syracuse University will gather at the Central New York Regional Market Friday with dozens of people who work in the local food production and distribution system to discuss ways to increase Central New Yorkers' access to fresh local food.

Landscape architecture students from ESF, along with design and architecture students from SU, worked on projects during the last semester that addressed various aspects of the local food system, said Matthew Potteiger, who teaches a landscape architecture design studio at ESF.

"They did this to bring attention to local food system issues," Potteiger said. "That includes increasing access to fresh, local food in the city, especially in neighborhoods that lack grocery stores; promoting local farmland protection; and increasing the role of the Regional Market."

Potteiger said the topic also touches on issues of public health, economic development and sustainability. Eating locally produced food greatly reduces energy use, he said.

"Food systems and sustainability issues have a fundamental connection to ecology," Potteiger said. "But people just don't see the connection any more. That's why we are trying to relocalize some of our food system."

The students and some three dozen other participants, will meet during a luncheon made from locally produced food.

The meeting will be noon to 2 p.m. Friday, May 7, in Shed A at the CNY Regional Market, 2100 Park St., Syracuse.