Organizers hope Monday’s food systems event at RD86 Space will be ‘jump start’

A group of local organizations are inviting anyone interested in local food and waste systems to come to an event Monday in New London.

The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and the New London County Food Policy Council have been using a $35,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to fund events throughout the summer educating people about the production, distribution and disposal of food.

A free dinner Monday evening at RD86 Space in New London will be the sixth and last of these events, said Hannah Gant, the RD86 co-founder who with FRESH New London director Alicia McAvay applied for the grant last year.

“The goal is to engage the broader public in learning about how our food system works and continuing ideas to improving it,” Gant said.

People from local food-related organizations and businesses will present information about the production, distribution, processing, consumption and disposal of food, while attendees try food made by RD86 chefs using local ingredients.

Gant said she hopes the presentations will encourage people to think about ways the local food system can be more efficient.

“Show up if you have an interest, show up if you have an idea,” she said. “We’re really hoping this is going to be a jump start.”