Bloomington (www.visit Bloomington.com), a moderate sized college town in the rolling hills of southern Indiana, is an ideal place to hold a conference of this size.  After decades of neglect the regional cuisine of our area is in the midst of an enthusiastic revival, and we will have strong community support for the conference as a way of showcasing our area and its products.  Check out our new locavore restaurant at https:www.farm-bloomington.com.  In downtown Bloomington, in close proximity to the campus and the surrounding area are wineries, organic farms, Amish communities, a thriving and varied local farmers market, an amazing variety of ethnic restaurants, including two Tibetan restaurants, and an enthusiastic campus community.

Here’s a ‘taste’ of what’s available…..

Farmer’s Market.  Bloomington’s long standing, lively Saturday morning Farmer’s Market is central to ‘food’ in Bloomington and the surrounding area.  As a participant in the FOOD IN BLOOM you will have the opportunity to visit this active Bloomington tradition, featuring local and in most cases organic produce; locally grown and nationally distributed goat cheese; vendors featuring grass fed beef, chicken and  lamb; farm raised eggs; fresh baked breads – flowering and seed plants.

Restaurants.  Bloomington offers an unusually broad array of restaurants, featuring international cuisines, often at very moderate prices.  Many of the international restaurants are located along 4th street in charming restaurant homes – many with outdoor seating along a tree lined street.  Indian, Morcorran, Thai, Tibetan, Afghani, Japanese, Ethiopian.

Wineries.  Several wineries operate in the surrounding area.  Two wineries are of particular note.Located 7 miles north of Bloomington isIndiana’s largest winery – Oliver Winery (www.oliverwinery.com).Wine tasting is available 7 days a weeks in a garden setting with veranda seating overlooking a grassy slope leading to the small pond. Oliver wines are increasingly being recognized and awarded in major national and international competitions.  Butler Winery (www.butlerwinery.com) features local wines – some awarding winning – as well as brewing and wine making supplies.

Farms.  As organizers of FOOD IN BLOOM we will be scheduling pre and post conference opportunities to visit unique farm operations.  Within a short distance from the university are Amish farms; farms raising grass fed only meats; a large goat cheese operation; a bison ranch.

Slow Food Movement.  Slow Food movement is alive and well in Bloomington (http://www.slowfoodbloomington.org/).   As a participant in BLOOM, you will have the opportunity to visit restaurants and meet chefs committed in much more than name only to the slow food movement.