AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Stakeholders from across Virginia’s food and agriculture sectors gathered Tuesday at Blue Ridge Community College in Augusta County for a statewide summit focused on strengthening the Commonwealth’s food systems. The one‑day event in Weyers Cave brought together farmers, processors, educators, and policy leaders to discuss how Virginia can build a more resilient, fair, and environmentally sustainable food network from production to consumption.

Keynote speaker Dr. Kate Clancy, a nationally recognized food systems expert, emphasized the importance of redundancy, equity for producers, and stronger environmental practices. She told attendees that improving resilience requires collaboration across the entire supply chain and a commitment to long‑term planning. She told attendees that a “systems approach” and “making connections” are necessary for a robust food system in Virginia.

Numerous participants emphasized the food system disruptions seen during COVID-19, as well as egg shortages caused by an outbreak of avian influenza.

Organizers said the central takeaway is clear: Virginia’s food industry must adopt a systems‑based approach to develop a logical, comprehensive strategy that can withstand disruptions and ensure a stable, reliable food supply for communities statewide.