Countdown to Food Summit 2026
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
APRIL 22 – 23, 2026 | Edinburg, TX
The Future is Growing Here
IESH launched the first annual Food Summit in 2023 in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, The National Center for Appropriate Technology, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The event takes place in South Texas and brings together a wide range of food systems players from across the South and Southwest regions to learn, network, and co-create strategies for building a more resilient food system.
Attendees and presenters include farmers, ranchers, aggregators, distributors, non-profit organizations, local, state, and federal government agencies, policy specialists, students, and community members.
Join us to connect, innovate, and grow solutions that strengthen the local food economy and support the well-being of our communities.
Workshops
Don’t miss our Mixer !
Location
This year all events will take place in Edinburg, Texas.
Region One Education Service Center:
1900 West Schunior St, Edinburg, TX 78541
Where will this event take place?
The Food Summit will take place at the Region One Education Service Center located at 1900 W Schunior St, Edinburg, TX 78541.
The mixer will take place at the Museum of South Texas History located at 200 N Closner Blvd, Edinburg, TX 78541.
Where can I park at the Food Summit?
There will be free parking all around the Region One building, particularly on the West side of the building. After the Food Summit, a free charter bus will be available to take people to the mixer. Attendees are welcome to leave vehicle parked at the Region One building.
Is there a way to accommodate my special dietary needs and accessibility needs?
Yes. While registering you can indicate any needs for the conference.
Will there be food at the mixer?
There will appetizers provided at the mixer but we recommend you plan your own dinner.
How do I check-in to the Food Summit?
We will have a registration check-in table and representative located at the venue.
Are there hotel blocks available?
Yes. Follow the link to learn more information: TownePlace Suites by Marriot McAllen Edinburg
If you have any questions, please contact Robert Meave at rmeave@ecs1.net.
Will Spanish interpretation be available during the Food Summit?
Yes. You can specify this need during registration. A headset will be provide for your time during the conference.
Is there childcare available?
No. Childcare will not be provided but all events during the conference will be kid-friendly.
[coming soon]
Born in Mexico City, Lisa’s background in journalism and community organizing in Latin America led her to the Rio Grande Valley in 1991 to work with Central American refugees. With advanced degrees in public health and international development, she has also managed adult education programs in Philadelphia, returning to the RGV where she co-founded a binational Community Health Worker project. For 20 years she has led community engagement efforts at the University of Texas Houston School of Public Health, Rio Grande Valley location. She manages community-based research efforts to address diabetes, mental health other chronic conditions and manages the “Tu Salud !Si Cuenta!” campaign in 10 cities. She co-facilitates a 20-year running Collaborative Action Board (CAB) dedicated to promoting health equity in the region. Mitchell-Bennett is the President of the Board of the Brownsville Wellness Coalition, with its mission of “cultivating healthy food and lifestyles”. She writes a health column for local newspapers, co-produces a weekly health segment on Televisa. Mitchell-Bennett loves her beautiful border community where she has raised her 3 children. She enjoys volunteering with refugees and advocating for trails, community gardens and urban farms, so all families can have opportunities to be healthy!
Shakera Raygoza is the owner of a 20-acre organic urban farm, Terra Preta Farm serving local farmers markets, schools, and wholesale distributors. In 2020, Raygoza, founded Sentli Center for Regenerative Agriculture, a non-profit organization with a mission to reconnect people to the land and local food system.
Mackenzie Feldman is the Founder and Director of Re:wild Your Campus, an organization that works with schools across the country to eliminate synthetic pesticides from campus grounds. Mackenzie is a Master’s student at UTRGV studying Agroecology, where she is working with farmers in the Valley who are cover cropping. She is also co-author, with her mother Kathy, of the book Groundbakers, a plant-based cookbook that features 16 people changing the food system.
Jose studied Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin and has a background in manufacturing operations. In 2020, he joined some friends to operate a mushroom farm, where he developed an interest in mushroom cultivation that quickly became a passion. Today he works at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Advancement at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he gets to collaborate with local farmers and community leaders in looking for ways to improve the health of our people, our food systems, and our planet. He will be speaking about upcoming opportunities from the new Rio Grande Colonias – Regional Food Business Center.
Become a Sponsor Today!
Our sponsors play a vital role in making this event possible and allow us to bring together current and future stakeholders of our South Texas food system. Your support will ensure the longevity of our annual summit.
If you are interested in sponsoring the Food Summit, please reach out to perla@ecohealthinstitute.com
Help us Spread the Word!
We are thrilled to gather for the fourth time at this annual event in the Rio Grande Valley, TX. This community event offers numerous opportunities for us to continue expanding the future of local, healthy food in the region.
We can’t do this alone! Spreading the word about this event is crucial to increasing its impact and encouraging community members to become active participants. This kit is made to make it easier to share information about this event on your social media networks.
Use the links below to download the social media graphics. Don’t forget to tag us and/or make us collaborators on Instagram @food.summit and on Facebook @foodsummit24. You can also tag this year’s events as #RGVFS26 to help us spread the word that the future is growing here!
Download Ready-To-Post Social Media Graphics
Customizable CANVA Design Templates
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Food Summit Partners
Learning, Working, & Celebrating Together
Questions?
For any inquiries about THE FOOD SUMMIT, reach out to our team directly using this form.
perla@ecohealthinstitute.com