SALMON CREEK — A Michigan food researcher and a Burgerville manager will discuss the complex paths our food takes, and the values reinforced by its purchase, at 11:45 a.m. Friday at Washington State University Vancouver’s Chancellor’s Seminar Series lecture.
The event will be in the Firstenburg Student Commons.
Conducted on Fridays, the Chancellor’s Seminar Series is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and include the lecture, lunch and parking.
WSUV is at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the junction of Interstate 5 and Interstate 205.
Philip Howard, professor at Michigan State University, will kick off the lecture with “Regaining Control of the Food System.” He will explain how multinational corporate ownership of the food system is increasing, even in what we consider “alternatives” such as organic foods. The result is less control over how our food is produced.
To regain control, Howard suggests the first step is to identify “who owns what” and seek out producers that remain independent and are responsive to community feedback.
Cathy Insler, director of supply chain for Burgerville, will share how the Vancouver-based company works to ensure it serves fresh, local and sustainable food, and what can be applied to other regions and industries.
Insler grew up in the restaurant industry and joined Burgerville as an assistant manager in 1991. Today she manages food cost performance, conducts menu engineering and pursues innovative options for ingredients and practices.
The Chancellor’s series thoughtfully explores timely topics and invites the exchange of ideas. Guests are encouraged to ask questions and share ideas after the presentation.
Future speakers include:
• March 4, Scott Bailey, regional economist, Washington State Employment Security Department, and John Nofsinger, associate professor of finance, WSU Pullman, “Economic Recovery and Southwest Washington.”
• April 29, Tahira Probst, WSUV professor of psychology, “Economic Stress and Job Insecurity: Implications for Employees and Organizations.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/community and click on Chancellor’s Seminar Series, or call 360-546-9580.
