The Food Connection at the University of Kentucky and FoodChain join forces to combine their two signature events — Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit and F.E.A.S.T — into one multi-day event.

This combined event features expanded programming for local food systems practitioners across the farm to table spectrum, and culminates in a celebration of local food and fellowship.

The 7th annual Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit has expanded to a two day event, with an inspired and Kentucky-focused program on Day 1, regional- and nationally-focused programming on Day 2, and FoodChain's dynamic F.E.A.S.T. fundraiser closes out this not-to-be-missed event on Day 3.

The Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit x F.E.A.S.T. is a celebration of local food, farms, and chefs in Lexington, KY. This collaboration between The Food Connection, Holly Hill & Co, and FoodChain is the culmination of seven years of food system development and unites national talent with Kentucky changemakers. You’re invited into this welcoming space for sharing, collaborating, and working toward thoughtful food systems for all – accompanied by culinary expertise, artistic expression, musical talent, and the bounty of Kentucky farms.

We are thrilled to have Kentucky Proud support these events as the Kentucky Farms Food Sponsor.

Add a discounted room rate at The Manchester to your stay!
We’ve secured a special KLFSS x F.E.A.S.T. rate at The Manchester from May 19–26:

Standard Room: $199/night
Deluxe Room: $219/night

Use promo code FOOD2025 or simply click here to automatically apply it to your booking.

2025 Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit

Theme: Local Food Systems Advocacy + Action: What does advocacy and action look like in our everyday lives AND how do we leverage that to change the food system as a whole?

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 12:30-6pm: Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit Day 1 at the Food Connection inside The 90 at the University of Kentucky

12:30-1:30pm- Registration and Check-in
1:30-2pm- Welcome
- Ashton Potter
- Commissioner Shell
- Jennifer Hunter
2:15-3:15pm- Breakout Session I (concurrent sessions)
- Cooking demo in The Food Connection Kitchen: What is a Chef's role in fostering a more vibrant and equitable local food system? Chef Tanya Whitehouse from The Food Connection and Kentucky's own Appalachian Forager- Whitney Johnson (session full)
- Food is Medicine: How do we center Kentucky farmers and food insecure families? Brooke Gentile from OAK (moderator) with Jessica Klein from KyPolicy, Bree Pearsall Rootbound Farm, Michelle Howell from Need More Acres, Heather Norman-Burgdolf from the University of Kentucky
- Conscious Collaboration: How do we work more synergistically to impact KY farmers? Elliot Smith from Kitchen Sync Strategies
3:30-4:30pm- Breakout Session II (concurrent sessions)
- Cooking demo in The Food Connection Kitchen: What is a Chef's role in fostering a more vibrant and equitable local food system? Chef Tanya Whitehouse from The Food Connection and Kentucky's own Appalachian Forager- Whitney Johnson (session full)
- Scaling Local Food: Federal Investments, Alternative Funding, and Infrastructure Realities Brandi Button Johnson from The Food Connection (moderator) with Anna Haas from What Chefs Want, Birch Bragg from Locals Food Hub and Pizza Pub, Myrisa Christy from Community Farm Alliance, and Evan Tate from the University of Kentucky Extension
- Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Local Food Systems Faye Kuosman from The Food Connection (moderator) with Brent Lackey from KCARD, Tim Woods from the University of Kentucky, Laurie White from Community Farm Alliance, Jodee Smith from FARWISE Indiana
4:30-6pm- The Food Connection 2025 Awards + Reception

Thursday, May 22, 2025 9am-4pm: Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit Day 2 at Fasig-Tipton

8-9am- Registration and Check-in with coffee and pastries
9-9:15am- Welcome
9:15-10:15am- Farmer Panel Jodee Smith from Indiana University (moderator) with Tatum Lewis from Blackroots Farm, Bree Pearsall from Rootbound Farm, Christine Chol from Need More Acres Farm, Joseph Fischer from Fischer Farms
10:15-10:45am Break
10:45-11:45am- Chef Panel Ali Blair from Rebel Rebel Studio Lounge (moderator) with Ouita Michel from Holly Hill & Co., Joy Crump from FOODE + Mercantile, Jamilka Borges from Lilith, sara bradley from freight house, Toa Green from Crank & Boom
11:45am-1:15pm- Lunch featuring ingredients from Kentucky Proud farms
1:15-2pm- Keynote Paula Daniels, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Food Systems presented by Tallgrass Farm Foundation
2-2:30pm- Morning Recap
2:45-4:15pm- Breakout Working Groups
- - Cultivating Inclusion and access in our food system: how do we build spaces where chefs, farmers, food advocates, and practitioners are working towards solutions? Moderators: Tanya Whitehouse, Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin from Kentucky Black Farmers Association
  - Why local food needs to be on the table for institutional purchasing and FIM initiatives. Moderators: Brandi Button Johnson, Faye Kuosman, Heather Graham- Kentucky Value Chain Coordinators
  - Youth Voices in Agriculture. Moderators: Kristin Hughes, Ciera Davis, Farmer Brown from FoodChain and Christine Chol

For Cooperative Extension partners, you can register here for KERS Credit.

2025 F.E.A.S.T. for FoodChain

Friday, May 23 6-9pm: F.E.A.S.T. 2025 at Fasig-Tipton; an evening of food, fellowship, and fundraising for the future of FoodChain

F.E.A.S.T. is more than just a food event; it’s a movement to a world where Food Equity & Access Sustains Tomorrow. F.E.A.S.T. began as an initiative of Chef Ouita Michel and 4 of the chefs she met at a James Beard Foundation Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change™. Ouita, Abra, Amy, Jamilka, and Joy bonded over their dedication to changing our food system for the better and all agreed that supporting the work of FoodChain was a great place to start. F.E.A.S.T. then became the cornerstone event supporting FoodChain’s mission.

This year’s F.E.A.S.T. will feature over 25 celebrated female chefs, including award-winning and James Beard-recognized talents, set to transform locally sourced Kentucky Proud ingredients into culinary masterpieces, showcasing versatility and richness of Kentucky flavors in every bite.

In addition to the unforgettable food and drink, your time at F.E.A.S.T. 2025 will be accompanied by KY musical acts that pair perfectly with the atmosphere, good vibes, and uplifting mood of the evening's festivities. This year features a partnership with Pop! Pop! Emerging Musician's Incubator Artist program, a program out of Berea funded by a Music In Action Grant from Live Music Society that supports emerging artists. Joslyn & The Sweet Compression will also be returning to lead the stage and inspire upcoming artists.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for making the Kentucky Local Food System Summit x F.E.A.S.T. 2025 possible. Their generous support fuels our mission, bringing together farmers, chefs, and local food advocates for three days of celebration, collaboration, and community impact. We couldn’t do it without you!

Kentucky Farms Food Sponsor

Foundation Sponsors

Infrastructure Sponsors

Cornerstone Sponsors

Keynote Speaker Sponsor

Unforgettable Moments Underwriting Sponsors

Local Food Sponsors

Community Partner Scholarship Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

Interested in being a sponsor? Check out the opportunities listed here: https://foodchainlex.org/feastforfoodchain2025/

Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit x F.E.A.S.T. for FoodChain 2025

By FoodChain

Kentucky Local Food Systems Summit x F.E.A.S.T. for FoodChain 2025

A three day celebration of local food, farms, and chefs in Lexington, Kentucky.