The Peru Gazette

Annual gathering returns February 26 at The Wild Center

News Release of Jan. 10, 2026, Tupper Lake, NY – The Adirondack Food System Network (AFSN) is pleased to announce that the 2026 Adirondack Food Justice Summit will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, New York. Registration is now open.

The Summit’s 2026 theme, “Community as Nourishment: Sowing the Seeds of Interdependence,” invites participants to explore how relationships, shared responsibility, and collective action sustain regional food systems just as deeply as the food itself. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, the Summit will examine how communities across the Adirondack region are building more just, resilient, and connected food systems.

Since 2018, the Adirondack Food Justice Summit has convened farmers, food access advocates, policymakers, educators, healthcare partners, nonprofit leaders, and community members from across the region. The annual gathering serves as a space to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and elevate solutions rooted in local experience.

“Food systems are built on relationships,” said Josh Stephani, Director of the Adirondack Food System Network. “This year’s theme, Community as Nourishment, is a reminder that connection, care, and shared responsibility are just as essential as the food itself. The Summit brings people together to learn from one another and strengthen the ties that make our region more resilient.”

The 2026 Summit will feature a keynote address from Ken Meter, a nationally recognized food systems analyst, author, and President of Crossroads Resource Center. For decades, Meter has worked alongside communities across the country to examine how food systems shape local economies, public health, and equity. Known for helping regions “see the big picture,” his work traces how food dollars flow through communities, what those patterns mean for farmers and families, and where collaboration can strengthen local resilience.

In addition to the full-day Summit, interested attendees are invited to a Pre-Summit Cocktail Party on Wednesday evening, February 25, at Hotel Saranac. The event will offer an informal opportunity to connect with fellow participants and hear from keynote speaker Ken Meter. Tickets for the cocktail party are available as an add-on during registration.

“The Summit continues to grow year after year because it creates a space for people to really listen and learn from each other,” said Stephani. “When farmers, advocates, institutions, and neighbors all come together, new ideas take root and that’s where lasting change can begin. This year, we are excited to harness the brain power and will to create a more resilient food system through mutual support and collective action.”

Amy Kohanski, Project Director at The Heart Network and Member of the AFSN Steering Committee highlighted: “the Summit is important because it is the only regional event that brings together people from every sector of the North Country food system. We come together in solidarity, to build community and partnerships, and to seek resiliency through education and empowerment. We are a solutions-oriented group that understands that the only way to a better future is through collaboration.”

“Spending the day with like-minded people and organizations from our immediate region at the Food Justice Summit inspires and motivates us to build stronger connections,” added Carlene Doane, GardenShare’s Executive Director and AFSN Steering Committee Member. “The connections made during this annual event support our regional food system.”

The Summit is open to the public.Tickets are available at multiple levels, including options that help support discounted registration for those who may need it. Full event details, registration, sponsorship information, and proposal submission links can be found at:
www.adkfoodsystem.org/event-details/2026-food-justice-summit

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The Adirondack Food System Network is a collaborative regional food council serving all twelve counties in or partially within the Adirondack Park. The Network works to strengthen alignment among food system organizations, elevate regional voices, and advance equitable access to nutritious, locally produced food.