By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Nov 15, 2016 at 2:01 PM

In the wake of the 2016 election, four renowned food leaders will come together on Friday, Nov. 18 to discuss how farming, social justice and the culinary arts can be powerful tools for economic and cultural development locally, nationally and internationally.

"Three Perspectives on Food: A Conversation Between Will Allen, Ron Finley and Alice Waters," will be held in the auditorium at the Kohl's Corporation Headquarters, W165N5830 Ridgewood Dr. from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

During the event,  Growing Power founder Will Allen, L.A.-based urban gardener Ron Finley and chef and food activist Alice Waters will share the stage in a conversation moderated by Stephen Ritz, CEO of Green Bronx Machine, to talk about the state of the "Good Food Revolution."

The event is part of Growing Power’s Urban and Small Farms Conference, which takes place Nov. 18-20.

The conference, which will be held at the Growing Power Warehouse at 13111 W. Silver Spring Dr., offers a host of educational opportunities including guidance on how to plan, develop and grow small farms in urban and rural areas. This year’s conference covers the following: Urban Aquaculture, Urban Farming, At Risk Youth Development, Government, Education, Universities, Food and Technology, Food Policy, Growing Food and Justice for All Initiative (GFJI), Food and Farming Around the World, Land and Architecture and Fundraising.

Tickets for both the talk and conference can be found at growingpower.org.  Cost for "Three Perspectives on Food" is $40 for advance tickets and $50 for tickets purchased at the door. A pre-event fundraising reception will also be held beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets for the reception are $200 and include small plates, signature cocktails, a book signing, speaker meet and greet as well as reserved seats for the talk.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.