Why does food matter to you? And what kind of food matters to you? The convenient kind? The local kind? The fast kind? It probably depends on where you live, how much money you make and how much time you have available. For example, a weekend trip to Pepper Place Market might be considered a no-brainer to some, while others see it as a luxury if they can find transportation to get there. A midday meal comprised of a Big Mac and fries also might be a no-brainer to some, while others recognize that that kind of consumption is part of national food crisis of sorts — a system in which obesity is epidemic and access to fresh, healthy food is limited.

Thanks to growing interest in eating local and eating healthy, the way we talk about food is changing. Whereas “What’s for dinner?” used to be one of the only questions people knew to ask about food, now the larger conversation is becoming more complex. Questions that people are asking about food now include, how do you get it? Who has access? How is it grown? Where is it distributed? How much does it cost? How much is it worth?

This weekend in Birmingham, dozens of farmers, grocers, community leaders and ordinary citizens will attempt to expand the local discussion about food. “Food Matters” is the theme of the 2009 Alabama Food Summit, which is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 12-14. Most of the events — including lectures, workshops, panel discussions and several local-food meals prepared by noteworthy Birmingham chefs — will take place at East Lake United Methodist Church. Summit organizers have also included a bus-and-bike tour of Birmingham’s numerous community gardens on Saturday.

Although dozens of organizations and individuals are participating in “Food Matters,” the summit is the annual flagship event of Greater Birmingham Community Food Partners (GBCFP), a grassroots organization made up of community residents as well as members associated with agencies, non-profits, government and faith-based initiatives. The Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN), a network of growers and consumers working to educate the state on sustainable agriculture, partnered with GBCFP for the organization of this year’s food summit.

The weekend lineup is as follows:

THURSDAY, NOV. 12

10 a.m. • Registration and exhibits open

Noon • Local Foods Lunch by Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club

Welcome Sally Allocca, PEER and East Lake UMC

Success Stories from the Birmingham Area

Anna Shambulia, West End Community Garden

Edwin Marty – Jones Valley Urban Farm

Eliminating and Injustices that Cause Hunger

Eric Holt-Ginenez, Food First: The institute of Food and Development Policy

2-3:45 p.m.    Breakout Sessions

1. Eating Alabama: Barriers to eating locally in Alabama

2. Youth in Agriculture

3. Organic Farming: Cover Crops

4. Health and Nutrition Policy: Needs for Better Health in Alabama

5. Food Insecurity and Advocacy

4- 5:15 p.m. Roundtable Discussions

Community Gardens • Collaborative Meeting • Food Policy • Farmers Markets • Selling to Restaurants • Slow Money

5:30- 7 p.m. Seed Savers Meet and Swap

Plus Alabama snacks and drinks in exhibit hall

7 p.m. Local Foods Dinner by East Lake Café

Suggested donation $25

“The Town the Food Saved: How a rural community in Northern Vermont is rebuilding both its food system and its economy.”

Tom Stearns, President of High Moving Organic Seeds and the Center for an Agricultural Economy

FRIDAY, NOV. 13

8 a.m. Local Foods Continental Breakfast

Coffee from Higher Ground Roasters, and pastries

8-9:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions

1. Farm Profile: Long Hungry Creek Farm

2. Cultural and Traditional Foods

10-11:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions

1. Permaculture

2. Improving Access to Local Foods in Low-Income Neighborhoods

Noon-1:30 p.m. Local Foods Lunch by Culinard

Making the Farm to School Connection

Melanie Payne, Bulger Creek Farm & Opelika City Schools

2-3:30 p.m.  Breakout Secessions

1. Cooperative Marketing

2. Future of Seeds

3. Biodynamics: Getting stared

4. Pest Management

5. Community Food Assessments

3:45-4:45 p.m. Regional breakouts, next steps & wrap-up

6 p.m. Dinner on your own

7 p.m. Movie Night

SATURDAY, NOV. 14

(at Jones Valley Urban Farm, 701 25th St. North)

9 a.m.: Bus and Bike Tours to Community Gardens around Greater Birmingham

Please note: Bike tour participants must bring their own bikes and helmets!

1-4 p.m. Growing Together Community Gardens Educational Program

Orientation & Kickoff

“Food Matters: The 2009 Alabama Food Summit” is scheduled for Nov. 12-14 at  East Lake United Methodist Church (7753 First Ave. South) and Jones Valley Urban Farm (701 25th St. North). The event includes lectures, panel discussions, a tour of Birmingham’s numerous community farms and several meals comprised of locally produced food prepared by guest chefs. $25 includes lunch on Thursday and Friday; additional $25 requested donation for Thursday night dinner. (205) 591-3663. More information, including registration, program details, schedule and speaker bios, available at www.gbcfp.org or www.asanonline.org