May 4, Tommy Hexter ’21: Food Hubs Talk

What: Food Hubs: Where Community Food Security and Local Food Production Meet
When: 4:15 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2023
Where: Burling First Floor Lounge

Tommy Hexter '21 says: “Our modern food system is only working for the corporations who control it. There are millions of people hungry, workers are being exposed to dangerous chemicals and conditions, and agriculture is contributing significantly to climate change. However, it is possible to imagine a system where healthy food, dignified labor, and regenerative farming practices would all go hand in hand to reach more positive outcomes. It’s time to reclaim our food! I hope you will join me for a conversation about how community food security, local food production, and vibrant ecosystems are all the same project, and how you can participate in a more sustainable and ethical food system.”

Tommy Hexter ’21 is the executive director of Local Foods Connection in Grinnell. In that position, Tommy operates a local food marketplace called Grinnell Farm to Table and a local food mutual aid program donating to food pantries and individuals with limited financial resources. Local Foods Connection works with over 20 Southeast Iowa producers selling food items including dairy, eggs, jams, breads, honey, tofu, meat, grains, and more. Hexter’s primary areas of work include food systems coordination, agricultural policy, and community food security. He serves on the Poweshiek Soil and Water Conservation District and is the rural organizer for Iowa Farmers Union.

Sponsored by the Center for Prairie Studies.