Long Island Sound: Estuary, Food Source & Cultural Legacy

The Foodshed Forum announces, “Long Island Sound: Estuary, Food Source & Cultural Legacy,” on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Innis Arden Cottage.

Guests will enjoy a locally sourced raw bar provided by Atlantic Clam Farms, and a taste of green crab, an invasive yet tasty species. Wine will be provided by Cap, Cork and Cellar. A panel discussion exploring efforts in Connecticut and throughout New England working to sustain our coastal watershed will follow.

Panelists will share the ways consuming ‘overlooked’ and invasive species of fish and shellfish are essential to preserving a healthy ecosystem, and how Long Island Sound enhances cultural connection, and a sense of place.

The event will be held at the Innis Arden Cottage at Greenwich Point on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00.

The panel of shellfish aquaculturists, seafood culinary specialists and resilient food system advocates will explore sustainable seafood in our region Connecticut’s aquaculture industry is an important agriculture sector. Aquaculture is the 7th highest valued agriculture product in the state; marine aquaculture is the largest sector. Yet, many are unaware of the local, sustainable seafood species that live in our waters. Farmers grow bay scallops, oysters, quahogs, blue mussels, and kelp.

The discussion will provide context to bring to light both the challenges and successes they endure, as well as the work being done at a state and regional level to grow and advocate for a sustainable Connecticut food system by sea.

“I am excited to take part in The Foodshed Forum. Seafood is an important food resource in our region and yet much of it isn’t consumed locally. Eating locally and diversifying our seafood diets to include the full bounty of delicious species that come from our local waters can be good for the ecosystem and the community,” said Kate Masury, Executive Director of Eating with the Ecosystem.

The discussion will also touch on ecological challenges that impact fisheries and businesses and how strong alliances and networks foster structural change within the [sea]food system.

The panel will feature speakers Chef Geoff Lazlo, Owner of Geoff Lazlo Food, Kate Masury, Executive Director of Eating with the Ecosystem, Mary Parks, Executive Director of Greencrab.org, and Ed Stilwagen, President of Atlantic Clam Farms. The panel discussion will be moderated by Ali Ghiorse, co-founder of The Foodshed Forum.

Everyone has the power to be food system changemakers! Together, everyon can realize a future that advances a resilient and regionalized food system Connecticut food system.

The Foodshed Forum, formally Greenwich Food System Forum, is a program of The Foodshed Network, in partnership with Greenwich Conservation Commission.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit our website:https://thefoodshednetwork.org/foodshed-forum-2023 and sign up for updates through The Foodshed Thymes: https://thefoodshednetwork.org/join-the-foodshed-thymes contact : Ali Ghiorse [email protected]