The CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series is a comprehensive, free online series designed to explore innovative ways to finance and strengthen local and regional food systems. Each session will delve into a different aspect of development finance, offering key insights into how businesses, projects, and communities can leverage development finance tools to build a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food system. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, policymaker, or community leader, this series provides invaluable strategies for using finance to drive transformative change across the food supply chain. Join us for all five webinars to gain the knowledge and connections needed to make a lasting impact.

With funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, CDFA is researching how development finance agencies can become more engaged in creating localized food systems through traditional finance methods. The goal of this initiative is to demonstrate that, when organized and defined properly, the food system can be recognized as an asset class worthy of traditional investment. Through this work, CDFA aims to expand opportunities and harness existing capital financing streams to scale local and regional food systems, improve access to better food, and create new living-wage jobs in communities nationwide.

>>> Visit the CDFA Food Systems Finance Resource Center to View Previous Webinars

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CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series

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Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Harnessing the Power of Bonds: Transforming Food Systems Through Strategic Investment Bonds are increasingly transformative in the food system, especially for underserved small and midsized food and farm businesses. These foundational development finance tools are being leveraged to invest in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy initiatives, and infrastructure improvements within the food sector. In this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we will explore how food- and agriculture-related businesses—particularly those serving historically underserved communities—can access these funding mechanisms to drive economic development and foster a more resilient, equitable food system. Additionally, we will examine how organizational networks collaborate to structure and promote bonds, unlocking new investment opportunities that support lasting growth. Moderator(s) Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies Speaker(s) Michael Graff, Partner, McGuireWoods LLP Tammy Nebola, Loan Program Specialist, Iowa Finance Authority Kenneth Neighbors, Partner, McGuireWoods LLP

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Navigating Access to Capital Networks in the Food System Securing capital is one of the biggest challenges for food system entrepreneurs, but access to capital networks can help bridge the gap. During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we’ll explore key networks providing essential funding and resources to support the growth of businesses and projects across the food system. From farmers and food processors to food hubs, learn how these networks are unlocking financial resources, fostering partnerships, and driving transformative change by increasing capital access. Gain insights into strategies that help food system entrepreneurs tap into these networks for sustainable growth and innovation. Moderator(s) Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies Speaker(s) Brendan Buttimer, Senior Director, Equitable Food Systems, Reinvestment Fund

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Leveraging Federal Support Tools for Food Systems Investment Federal agencies play a vital role in supporting underserved small and midsized food and farm businesses, as well as projects that promote sustainability, equity, and resilience in the food system. During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we’ll explore key federal programs and networks, and learn how these resources help underserved food system businesses access funding, navigate grants, and accelerate transformative projects. Gain insights into how these networks foster innovation, expand market access, and strengthen community-based initiatives, empowering small and midsized entrepreneurs to thrive while driving meaningful change in the food system. Moderator(s) Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Revitalizing Communities Through Food Systems Redevelopment Food systems redevelopment projects - such as brownfield redevelopment for urban agriculture - can breathe new life into communities and create opportunities for local food production. During this installment of the CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we will discuss the partnerships and funding streams that support these projects, showcasing successful examples of how food systems can be integrated into broader planning and economic development strategies. Whether you are a developer, lender, community leader, or policymaker, this session offers valuable insights into the power of redevelopment to drive sustainable, community-driven solutions. Moderator(s) Angela Blatt, Director

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Tue 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Evaluating Success: Exploring Key Partnerships and Frameworks for Food Systems Financing Evaluating food systems initiatives is crucial for assessing project viability, managing risk, and determining financing needs. During this final session of the 2025 CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, we’ll explore how to navigate the complexities of combining multiple funding sources into a holistic financial model. We’ll highlight the key players, networks, and frameworks in structuring successful food system financing deals, while discussing how partnership strategies can secure funding, mitigate risk, and maximize impact. Whether you're an entrepreneur or an investor, this session will provide the tools and insights to evaluate, assess, and build sustainable funding strategies for food system projects. Moderator(s) Angela Blatt, Director

The CDFA Food Systems Finance Webinar Series will take place on Zoom.

Webinars will be recorded and placed online for participants to access afterwards. Attendees who miss a webinar will have access to the online recordings as well.