Agriculture in Times of Crisis Speaker Series: Emerging Direct-to-Consumer Markets

When COVID-19 shut down the country in March, consumers immediately saw its impact on food and groceries. In South Florida, farmers lost restaurant and cruise ship clients at the height of their winter growing season. Suddenly, the hyperlocal drive-through market was born – along with other programs connecting farmers directly with consumers and businesses.

“Emerging Direct-to-Consumer Markets” is the topic of an ongoing series featuring a panel of speakers on Oct. 29 at 11am via Zoom. Hosted by the Dade County Farm Bureau, the program will be moderated by Kerry Black of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce and will include these panelists:

• Penny Parham, administrative director, department of food and nutrition for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school district in the nation
• Helena Pernas, who directs and oversees the procurement, ordering and management of all food items for Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Child Nutrition Programs
• Sam Accursio, owner of Accursio and Sons Farms, started by his father in 1948
• Margie Pikarsky, owner, Bee Heaven Farm, a five-acre, family-owned organic farm that grows tropical fruit, herbs, vegetables and edible flowers
• Nick Sharp, owner of Threefold Cafe, who moved to Miami from Australia in 2012 and opened his cafes and coffee roaster with his wife Teresa
• James Kohnstamm, economic development vice president of The Beacon Council, who consults with local, national and international business leaders on the economic trends and attributes of Miami-Dade County
• Gretchen Schmidt, editor of edible South Florida, a quarterly magazine and website that explores food and drink, farms, artisans and events in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties

To register for the webinar, click here: