West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will host a forum on plant-forward diets and culinary medicine on Monday, March 11 at the Grand Rapids Public Library.
Experts from two of the region’s leading institutional food service operations will discuss how local companies and institutions can incorporate better dietary decisions into their sustainability and business strategies.
Kevin Vos, Senior Director of Hospitality Support Services for Spectrum Health Delivery System, will discuss the importance of plant-based, plant-forward, local food at the new Michigan Street Market and Grill and highlight solutions to help change nutritional behavior and engage community members. MSMG is the busiest restaurant in Grand Rapids, serving over 5,000 meals a day and provides whole foods, plant-forward options, antibiotic free meats, and Michigan produce from local, sustainable and diverse businesses. Kristi Artz, Medical Director of Lifestyle Medicine and MedNow, will offer a research-based approach to plant-forward foods and speak to the science behind Culinary Medicine to use food as a tool in achieving optimal health. Artz is the leading physician for the Culinary Medicine program at Spectrum Health. She is a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist through Tulane University’s Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine and is also certified in plant-based nutrition through Cornell University.
Janine Oberstadt, Operations Director & Director of Corporate Sustainability for Creative Dining Services, will share how corporate and institutional cafeterias are adopting these concepts, showcasing how eating a varied, whole food, plant-based diet helps to optimize the sustainability of our food system and planet, while increasing health and productivity from workers and students.
The WMSBF March 2019 Forum is presented by Spectrum Health. This month’s caterer is Daddy Pete‘s BBQ, who will be offering a plant-based menu.
Online registration is now closed. Walk-ins will be accepted.
Lunch is $17 for members if paid online ($22 at event), $25 for non-members ($30 at event)
Tentative Agenda
11:30 am Registration and Networking
12:00 pm Lunch
12:30 pm Program
1:30 Adjourn