CRAFT at Chatham University

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CRAFT at Chatham University

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At CRAFT, we center community in our pursuit of transformative regional food systems that value the people who live and work within them.

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. Food systems, which encompass everything that happens from the soil our food is grown in until it reaches our plate and is ultimately disposed of, are the central institutions of our communities, not only because of the number of people the industry employs, but also because of the central role that food plays in our daily lives - Everybody eats. Vibrant regions are comprised of vibrant communities. We envision a food system that is equitable, fostering fairness and transparency across the value chain. A system that is sustainable, actualizing economic, social, and cultural well-being as part of the food system. And a food system that is inclusive, valuing dignity, sovereignty, and the inherent power of all people. We aim to achieve this mission in concert with community members who live, work, and eat within the region, being intentional to focus our work in areas where there are gaps that we are suited to fill and providing support to other community members and organizations doing the same. We work in four program areas: food system education, research, intervention, and industry support. Within each program area, we take on projects that actualize the power of communities to drive change within our food system as eaters, influencers, food professionals, and food system practitioners. We engage students every step of the way, serving as a training ground for our next generation.

09/30/2026

What a day. 🌱

Thank you to everyone who made Roots & Routes 2026 such a special gathering.

From food makers and farmers to buyers, processors, distributors, service providers, speakers, partners, and community builders, you brought the ideas, questions, stories, and connections that made the day what it was.

We talked about food safety, product development, branding, markets, distribution, contracts, and new opportunities. But more importantly, we had the chance to connect the people and resources that help food businesses move from where they are today toward what’s next.

A huge thank you to our incredible speakers and moderators, our partners at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, everyone who helped make the day happen.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who showed up ready to find your route to what’s next.🧵

We’re still sorting through photos, conversations, and all the good ideas from the day, but one thing is already clear: there are a lot of people building strong food systems across the region, and we’re grateful to be part of the work.

Until the next route. ❤️

09/24/2026

Our 2026 Roots & Routes speaker quilt, ready for tomorrow’s event! 🧵🌟

This grid of wonderful faces and quilt blocks is just a preview of the amazing community coming together. From deep roots to new routes, we’re ready to connect, share, and build what’s next.

09/22/2026

Join CRAFT and the Allegheny County Health Department for a 2-day ServSafe Food Protection Manager training course and exam. Being a ServSafe Manager means you hold an advanced, nationally recognized credential proving you have the expert knowledge to keep food safe, prevent foodborne illness, and comply with health codes in a food service business.

Thanks to generous support from the USDA, this 2-day course, exam book, and proctored exam is discounted to only $75*, a 50% discount off the usual price.

More information: https://www.craft.chatham.edu/servsafe

09/18/2026

Taking new routes doesn’t mean leaving your origin behind—it means taking it with you ✨

We are officially one week away from Roots & Routes!

Our final keynote will feature Nick Ambeliotis of as he dives into what it really takes to scale an artisanal food business. He'll be sharing lessons on building a beloved regional brand, expanding into new markets, and staying grounded in quality, strong relationships, and a deep sense of place.

Register before it's too late!
https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

09/17/2026

Have you checked out our 2:00 PM breakout sessions for Roots & Routes yet? Join us next Friday to scale your brand or unlock new growth opportunities for your business!

🌱 ROOTS - Telling Your Story: Turning Local Products Into Strong Brands with Chatham University

📍 ROUTES: Opening New Doors: Navigating Contract Opportunities for Your Business with Abator, Inc. & Center for Women's Entrepreneurship (CWE)

Register today! https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

09/16/2026

Have you registered for Roots & Routes yet? We are in the final days before our the symposium kicks off next Friday!

🌱 ROOTS: Building a Market-Ready Food Product with Community Cultures

📍ROUTES: Routes to Opportunity: Programs, Partnerships & Platforms
with Involvemint, LocalCart & Sustainable Pittsburgh

Register today! https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

09/15/2026

Join us for two super fun sessions packed with insights to help grow food and farm businesses, from understanding retail needs and consumer trends to connecting with processors and finding new routes to regional distribution!

🌱ROOTS: Knowing Your Market: Consumer Trends & Business Insights with Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet).

📍ROUTES: Beyond Direct Sales: Building Routes to Regional Markets with Best Ever Granola, Three Rivers Grown, and East End Food Co-op.

Whether you’re digging into market trends, learning more about your customers, or exploring new opportunities for regional distribution, these sessions offer practical insights you can put to work in your business.

Register today!
https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

09/14/2026

Ready to grow your food business?

Join us for our 10AM sessions at Roots & Routes! Whether you're rooted in culture or navigating food safety regulations, we’ve got two incredible tracks lined up to help you build and scale.

Choose your path:
🌱 ROOTS - A Taste of Home: Building a Business from Culture & Story with James Digber, Co-founder of The Saucy African.

📍ROUTES- Food Safety by Design: Building Plans for Growth featuring from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Allegheny County Health Department.

Registration closes soon! Register today: https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

09/11/2026

Join us in discussing what truly shapes the food on our tables!

We'll be kicking off our Roots & Routes event with a conversation about the places, people, and experiences that build our regional food system.

Join us for our Opening Keynote, Rooted in Place: The Power of Stories, Culture, and Community, moderated by the one and only Alice Julier!

Swipe through to meet our featured speakers, and come ready to dig into the roots behind the businesses and stories that make our regional food economy what it is. 🥕

https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

09/09/2026

We’re weaving together what’s next for Roots & Routes. But before we look ahead, let’s take a look back. 🧵

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting the speakers, sessions, and conversations that will shape this year’s gathering, bringing each piece together to create the full picture of Roots & Routes 2026.

Take a look back at last year’s event, and follow along as we share what’s in store for this year!

More speakers and agenda details coming soon. Register today!

https://www.craft.chatham.edu/events

Address

6035 Ridge Road
Gibsonia, PA
15044

Website

https://craft.chatham.edu/

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