Our Santa Fe Ripe for Discussion session
Part innovation lab. Part think tank. Through an action-oriented approach, Ruminate combines the science of quantitative data and measurable impact with the qualitative wisdom of the food community and lived experiences. We break down tough problems to find effective solutions through in-person engagements, social innovation, and digital interactions.
Building connections between producers and plates
Our Ripe for Discussion sessions offer a chance to join other food leaders to discuss, debate, and ideate how to increase distribution and access to good food in local communities. Our second session took place in Santa Fe. Together, we diagnose the barriers to expanding access to value-focused, local food in restaurants, schools, and grocery and brainstorm solutions to these obstacles. They give a chance to leave with renewed and new networks and concepts that we will move forward together.
It goes a bit like this...
Our Ripe for Discussion series consists of micro-think tanks where everyday leaders roll their sleeves up and build change we can start making tomorrow through discussions and design-thinking inspired brainstorming sessions.
First, we start with a contextual framework—an introduction of empirical data and evidence-based context for the session.
Next, we hear from community and subject matter experts, learning from their lived and worked experience and expertise.
Finally, we break out into groups and concept inventive solutions—participants bring their own knowledge and synthesize the content of the session.
Afterward, attendees head home with new insights and Ruminate digs in deeper—the work products are made publicly available and the innovation process continues.
Read more about our Santa Fe session
"The solutions we are going for are social innovations—programs and
projects and even digital solutions such as apps that help connect farmers and consumers," says Sascha Anderson, Ruminate's education director. "We try to be agile in figuring out solutions, and with these workshops we hope the working groups can identify an idea to move forward with that we can help support."
Zibby Wilder, a writer specializing in food, wine, travel/tourism, personalities and histories of place, wrote about our session for the Santa Fe Reporter. Check her article to read more about about what we did: