Food Justice Summit

Pre-Summit opportunity from UMD partners!

The Our Climate Futures conference will take place on March 26 & 27th, 2026. The Our Climate Future’s Conference will take place on March 26 & 27th, 2026. Our goal is to strengthen regional networks and innovate practices that support sustainable food system security in our changing climate. The first day of the conference will be held at UMD and will feature panels, workshops, and presentations focusing on the different parts of a food system. The second day will take place at the Zeitgeist and focus on the work that Humanities for Food Justice is doing, including a documentary viewing and a panel of community experts. By integrating scientific research with community-based knowledge and experience, we anticipate that this event will produce actionable recommendations tailored to the unique challenges faced in our region.

This Event is free to attend and open to the general public. Check the conference schedule and registration information!

MFJN Food Justice Summit Agenda

View the full program with schedule and bios!

Day 1: Friday, March 27 – Arrival & Grounding

Location: DECC, 350 Harbor Drive

Theme: Welcome & Food Storytelling as Resistance
Noon – 8:30 PM

Click here for Session Descriptions.

 Day 2: Saturday, March 28 – Full Day Engagement

Location: DECC, 350 Harbor Drive

Theme: Reclaiming Power Through Practice
7:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Click here for Session Descriptions

Day 3: Sunday, March 29 – Closing & Renewal

Location: Family Freedom Center, 310 N 1st Ave W

Theme: Sankofa: Gathering Lessons, Sowing Seeds
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

We know that conversation and action is shaped by everyone in the room, not just those at the mic. In that spirit, we encourage attendees to consider themselves leaders who bring the fullness of their experiences, wisdom, questions, challenges, and visions. We want to hear from everyone, so we’ve planned different types of experiences and spaces throughout the weekend.  The hope is for everyone to teach, learn, listen, shine, and collaborate in some way.

The planning team has also pulled together leaders who represent aspects of our MN food ecosystem to have some stage time with all of us. We’re grateful for their willingness to share themselves and their work in this public way!

Links to Bios and Session Descriptions for each day:

Friday, March 27

Saturday, March 28

Meet the Food Justice Summit Team:

Summit MC – J. DeVon Nolen

DeVon Nolen is the Founder & Market Manager for The Peoples’ Market MPLS and former manager of the West Broadway Farmers Market in North Minneapolis for 11 years. DeVon is native to the North Minneapolis community she serves, is a formally trained facilitator and has studied at Northwestern College, pursuing a degree in Psychology. She has worked in tandem with community for over 27 years, holding various roles in non-profit work and banking including Pillsbury United Communities, TCF Bank, First National Bank of the Lakes, West Broadway Coalition, Northside Fresh Coalition, and helping to found Emerge Community Development, Northside Black Business Association, the NS Investment Group, and The People’s Market Mpls, and Metro Food Justice Network.

Ask DeVon about her experience with Supportive and Transitional Housing, the Urban Land Institute – Professional Real Estate Development course, and the many boards, task forces, and councils she has served with and shaped.

The proud mother of 4 children and big sister to many. DeVon is a 2023 Minneapolis Health Department Public Health Hero awardee and community activist/organizer that takes great pride in her city. She is committed to fighting for fair and just systems at every level and discipline.

• fb.jdevonnolen
• fb.thepeoplesmarketmpls
• @jdloveymn
• @nsinvestmpls

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Food Justice Planning Team!

• Facilitator: LaDonna Sanders Redmond
• MFJN Network Weavers: DeVon Nolen, Ellie Leonardsmith, Allyson Green
• MFJN Engagement Team members: Courtney Leaon, Jenny Kedward, Isabella Hembre Conditt, Amy Kirkpatrick, plus MFJN Plenum attendees over the past 2 years
• MFJN Leadership Team members: Princess Titus, Jenny Breen, Jill Greendeer, Jovita Morales, Aly Hotz, Terese Hill, Friendly Vang-Johnson, Laura Fredrickson-Gosewisch
• Dedicated volunteers: Allanah Hines, Taylour Blakeman, Sadie Gannett, Robin Schow, Debra Sheats, Kanko Akakpovi, Monarda Thasher Pierce, Eric Paredes, Diane Tran, Katie Chatfield, and everyone who showed up even for 5 minutes!

Attendees: Please check your emails for updates!

On-Site Logistics:

LOCATION

Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) Harborside Convention Center

350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

Some printed maps of the venue will be available on site. Other helpful maps:

• Pedestrian Bridge: https://decc.org/parking-directions/ped-bridge-map-2/

• Skywalk: https://decc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/skywalk-map.pdf 

PARKING

DECC Parking is available on site for $10 per day. Guests receive a ticket for re-entry all day that’s valid until midnight. Purchase your ticket at the Parking Booth. Surface lot parking and ramp parking is available. Ramp clearance height – 8 feet 2 inches. See the DECC website for details.

REGISTRATION

When you arrive, you can check-in and grab your nametag on the DECC 2nd Floor Foyer accessed via the Skywalk from the Parking Ramp. We are on the Harborside of the convention center. We’ll have purple signs up and “wayfinding” volunteers with a purple ribbon! 

WELLNESS, NURSING, & PRAYER ROOM

Visit the Wellness Room (on the 2nd floor, next to Room 201) for a quiet retreat from the conference to recharge and explore resources to support your physical and mental health. Take a rest in the quiet space, collect handouts, explore books, or try out a self-massage tool! 

This room is also available for nursing folks, or for anyone who would like space to pray. 

FOOD & ACTIVITIES IN DULUTH

Go to visitduluth.com for information about food, dining, and things to do outside of conference hours.

CONFERENCE AGENDA

More details on the drop-down tabs above! We will also have printed versions on-site and will give frequent reminders of what’s happening next. 

• March 26-27: Check out this incredible event from partners, Our Climate Futures: Cultivating Sustainable Food Systems!

• Friday, March 27, 12-8:30pm (Location: DECC, Harbor Side Convention Center). Meals: light lunch, dinner

• Saturday, March 28, 7:30am-9pm (Location: DECC, Harbor Side Convention Center): Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Sunday, March 29, 8:30pm-12pm (Family Freedom Center). Meals: light breakfast

**Early morning and evening activities are optional! (lets be honest, everything is optional)**

OTHER FAQs

Where can I store my luggage?

• Check the email from Allyson for details.

Who do I call if I need support over the weekend?

• For immediate emergencies, call 911.  

• You can also ask questions at the Registration table, find a volunteer with a colorful armband, or ask DECC staff about building and space questions.

• Check the email from Allyson with more contact info.

What’s the food situation? Can I bring snacks? Can I take leftovers home?

• All meals will have vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options. The caterers have taken all other allergies and dietary needs into account. Please ask caterers about specific ingredients if they are not labeled. 

• Yes, you can bring snacks! We will have coffee and tea available but no snacks between meals.

• Yes, you can take leftovers! Bring a to-go container if you want to take any food home with you. 

• Bring your favorite kind of bagged tea to share at the “tea lounge”! 

What else should I bring with me?

• Whimsy! A costume for silent disco? Some nature or colorful fabric for tables? A lamp for the corner? A treasure to share on a communal altar for the weekend? We’ll be under fluorescent lights together for the whole weekend, so we are collectively bringing the joy and beauty to the space! (please bring your things home with you at the end of the weekend!)

• A journal, for all your deep thoughts and questions, doodles, new contacts, etc.

• Waterbottle

• (optional) Headphones if you want to participate in the Silent Disco! 

• (optional) Something to share on a “gift” table – While there is limited space to share things like flyers, we do want to prioritize gifts. Maybe you have a book, a tincture, a poem, a special rock, a seed packet or something else that you would like to gift to a Summit attendee. Anyone can give a gift, anyone can take home a gift. Just visit the marked table to participate! **Please plan to bring any of your gifts home with you if they’re still there when you leave**

• Your family??? We are not able to offer any childcare or structured kid-friendly space, but this space is still open to all! Meals are prepared based on the number of people registered, so please register family members who want to join for any meals.

Is there a special rate for hotels?

Hotel block rates are full, but you may be able to reserve space still at the Holiday Inn-Downton. You can call (218-722-1202) or visit their website.

You can also book at TRU by Hilton (2.5 miles away).

Hostel Du Nord may also have space.

What is the cost to attend?

The conference fee is $500, with a sliding scale to keep it accessible. Pay what you can—from free to $1,000. Extra contributions support our Solidarity Fund and help others attend. A suggested day rate is $175 if you can’t attend all three days.

If you have institutional support, please pay at the highest level you are able.

Where do I make my payment?

Submit your payment on our GiveMN page or reach out if you need an invoice. If you have connections to sponsors or donors, please share the donation page! We were not able to raise as much funding as we hoped, so every donation matters.

It’s spring break week. Can I bring my family?

We know this is spring break for some school districts. We are not able to offer any childcare or structured kid-friendly space, but this space is open to all! Meals are prepared based on the number of people registered, so please register family members who want to join for any meals.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?

Email info@mfjn.org anytime with questions about the summit.

Registration is closed because we already submitted the food order and want to make sure there’s enough to go around. If you were really hoping to come, please email info@mfjn.org to see if we can make it work! 

The conference fee is $500, with a sliding scale to keep it accessible. Pay what you can—from free to $1,000. Extra contributions support our Solidarity Fund to help others attend. A suggested day rate is $175 if you can’t attend all three days. Submit your payment on our GiveMN page or reach out if you need an invoice. If you have connections to sponsors or donors, please share the donation page! We were not able to raise as much funding as we hoped, so every donation matters.