The Center for Regional Agriculture, Food, and Transformation at Chatham University works to transform the future of food and agriculture in Western Pennsylvania and beyond.
CRAFT provides resources, learning opportunities, and technical assistance on food systems, regional food cultures, and sustainable economies to individuals, organizations, and businesses. CRAFT serves as a home for food systems information and data at the regional level, creating a network for research, education, and outreach on sustainable food.
The team at CRAFT offers support, knowledge coordination, skills development, and visibility for collaborative projects that advance the social and economic health of our region through better food systems. We address questions such as: How can we create conditions that provide long term place-based benefits for people? What transformations are possible for producers, consumers, citizens, and the places they inhabit? How can we remove barriers to skills and knowledge to create better opportunities for new workers in a better food economy?
1. Collect and share research on regional food systems
2. Provide resources for advocates, practitioners, and policy makers
3. Communicate information supporting global recognition of regional food systems
4. Coordinate and support collaborative stakeholder activities and outreach
5. Educate, train, and support skilled workers necessary for a transformative food system
