Some prominent speakers in the local food movement will be at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre on Thursday, Nov. 22.

The panel of four speakers and their facilitator will discuss the benefits and challenges of purchasing and eating locally grown food, according to a press release.

They will also outline how our individual food choices influence the health and long-term sustainability of our food system.

Attendees will be able to sample food from Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley vendors such as Hopcott Premium Meats, Golden Ears Cheese Crafters, Cobs Bread, Cloud 9 Specialty Bakery and Granville Island Brewery.

Panellists include Alisa Smith, co-author of The 100 Mile Diet and co-host of The 100 Mile Challenge television series; Peter Ladner, former Vancouver city councillor and author of The Urban Food Revolution: Changing the Way We Feed Cities; Andrea Carlson, former executive chef at Bishop's Restaurant and now a partner with Harvest, a local food grocer and café; and Stephen Gallagher, a farmer at Nathan Creek Organic Farm Community Supported Agriculture.

The local food movement is about creating locally based, self-reliant food economies.

This means food production, processing, distribution and consumption is all done locally, which supports the economic, environmental and social health of the community.

This philosophy has taken root over the last few years and has spurred a lot of discussion.

The Coquitlam event will give residents a chance to hear what it means to the community.

Tickets are available for $20 each (groups of 10 or more cost $15 each) through the Evergreen Cultural Centre box office at 604-927-6555 or www.evergreenculturalcentre. ca.