Carrots harvested at Garden Time’s Reentry Community Garden in Providence, RI. Visit this garden at the Summit on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
As part of our commitment to equity and dignity for all, FINE advocates for quality, nutritious, regionally sourced food in our carceral system and beyond. Prisons and jails in New England serve three meals each day to approximately 60,000 incarcerated individuals. Although we want to see fewer people incarcerated, we simultaneously want to provide dignified food experiences and reduce harm to all those who are currently in the criminal justice system.
At this year’s #F2iSummit, FINE is excited to bring together a network who are working to create positive change in the carceral food system. The Summit will feature these eight farm to corrections sessions during our virtual and in-person event:
Meaningful Production, Marketable Training, and a Measurable Morale Boost on a DOC Budget
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 1:00 - 2:00 PM (virtual)
Mark McBrine, Food Service Director, Maine Department of Corrections
This presentation will provide an inspiring overview of the nationally recognized farm and foodservice operations at Mountain View Correctional Facility in Maine.
Farm-to-Corrections California
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 2:30 - 3:30 PM (virtual)
Heile Gantan, Impact Justice, Program Associate
Carolyn Chelius, Nutrition Policy Institute, Project Policy Analyst
Vince Young, Attorney, ChangeLab Solutions
Access to high quality fresh fruits and vegetables in California state prisons is poor, which has negative impacts on incarcerated peoples’ health and wellbeing. Our project – Farm to Corrections California – aims to address this issue by improving access to fresh produce during and after incarceration in California.
KEYNOTE: Chef Dan Giusti’s Journey to Transform Institutional Food
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 4:00 - 5:00 PM (virtual)
Chef Dan Giusti, Brigaid, CEO/Founder
Tune in to hear Dan’s story about placing chefs into public school foodservice programs around the country to help the schools reach their goals of increased food quality and consistency, and Brigaid’s new project working in the carceral food system in New England.
An Artichoke Grows in Prison: Transformative Steps for Successful Prison Gardens
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (virtual)
Rebekah Mende, Maine State Prison, VTI Sustainability
Since 2016, Maine State Prison has been facilitating a successful sustainable agriculture program within its maximum-security fences. Reports collected through the last few years have demonstrated a steady increase in participation and outcomes.
Prison Food Policy in New England
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 1:00 - 2:00 PM (virtual)
Laurie J. Beyranevand, Professor of Law and Director, Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School
The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School, in partnership with Farm to Institution New England has conducted several years of research to produce a comprehensive overview of policies that govern the New England carceral food system.
DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE & DISCUSSION: Mountain View Prison Film Screening & Discussion; Seeds of Change: Breaking Free from the Prison Food Machine
Thursday April 20, 2023 6:00 - 7:00 PM (virtual)
Maximillian Armstrong, OneWing Film Pictures
Mark McBrine, Food Service Director, Maine Department of Corrections
Timothy Rooney, first graduate of the kitchen apprenticeship program, Maine Department of Corrections
Attend the premier showing of a 30 minute, heartfelt film that took two years in the making, about Mountain View prison in Maine, a unique model working to provide purpose, dignity, and opportunity to incarcerated people through the practice of regenerative agriculture, scratch cooking, and wholesome eating. Seeds of Change was recently featured in the Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener magazine.
LOCAL FIELD TRIP: Garden Time - A Reentry Community Garden
Thursday, April 27, 2023 1:30 - 3:30 PM (in person)
Kate Lacouture (Speaker), Garden Time, Co-founder & Executive Director
Garden Time provides prison-based educational programs that teach incarcerated men and women how to cultivate gardens and grow food for their own economic and personal well-being, integrating job readiness skills and reentry support. Field trip participants will visit Garden Time’s Reentry Community Garden (located at the OpenDoors Resource Center) and meet Garden Time staff, volunteers, current and past Green Reentry Job Training program participants.
Shining a Light on Food in the Carceral System
Friday, April 28, 2023 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (in person)
Leslie Soble, Senior Program Manager, Food in Prison, Impact Justice
Britt Florio, Program Coordinator, Farm to Institution New England
There are many questions that arise in this work, and lots of perspectives from interested parties who engage with the system from different vantage points. Our conversation will seek to surface areas of common agreement to advance recommendations, while also noting the differences and identifying areas for further conversation and action.
Check out the full agenda to view all the amazing offerings at the 2023 Northeast Farm to Institution Summit!
More info on planning your trip to Providence.
Email Britt Florio with any questions, Brittany@farmtoinstitution.org