Celebrity Chef Ellie Krieger To Moderate June 19 Discussion On Transparency And Food At The Food Dialogues(SM): Chicago

CHESTERFIELD, Mo., May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) today announced that Celebrity Chef and Nutritionist Ellie Krieger will moderate The Food Dialogues^SM: Chicago. The event, entitled, "Transparency and Food: Our responsibility to make information available to today's consumer" is the second panel in a two-part series of events taking place in Chicago. The June 19 panel discussion will be held at Kendall College School of Culinary Arts where Ellie Krieger will join farmers, ranchers, industry experts, pundits and media to discuss one of America's biggest food issues – the type of information consumers are looking for when making food-purchasing decisions.

"USFRA's goal for The Food Dialogues is to spark conversation on some of today's toughest questions surrounding food production," said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "The topic of transparency and food is intended to engage consumers and the key decision-makers along the food chain who deliver the products consumers find on the shelves of supermarkets and on menus across the country. By adding Ellie Krieger as the moderator for this event, we hope to create a dynamic environment where everyone finds value in the discussion."

Best known as the host of Food Network's hit show, "Healthy Appetite," Ellie's charismatic approach to talking about food has made her a go-to resource on nutrition by the media and public alike. Krieger's success can be attributed to her unique way of offering real life advice without any of the gimmicks and crash diets that often permeate mainstream culture.

USFRA also announced the panelist line-up for the June 19 discussion, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CDT and will be streamed live online. Panelists will include:

• Kathleen Merrigan, former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
• David Fikes, Food Marketing Institute Director Consumer/Community Affairs and Social Responsibility
• Gene Kahn, former president and CEO of Cascadian Farms
• Jayson Lusk, University of Oklahoma agriculture economist and author, "The Food Police"
• Lynn Martz, rancher, Martz Family Farm, Maple Park, Ill.
• Bo Stone, farmer, P & S Farms, Rowland, NC
• Mary Pat Raimondi, American Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition Vice President, Strategic Policy and Partnerships
• Brad Nelson, Marriott International Corporate Chef and Vice President of Culinary
• Anupy Singla, journalist, author and blogger, www.indianasapplepie.com

For more information on this event, including how to register, visit www.fooddialogues.com. Follow USFRA on Twitter @USFRA using #FoodD or on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/usfarmersandranchers.

About The Food Dialogues
The Food Dialogues signature events are designed to bring together farmers, ranchers, industry experts, pundits, media and consumers for dynamic panel discussions on some of today's most pressing topics related to food and food production. Since its launch in 2011, the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance has hosted five major events, including 13 panels across the country that streamed live online.

About U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA)
U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) consists of nearly 80 farmer- and rancher-led organizations and agricultural partners representing virtually all aspects of agriculture working to engage in dialogues with consumers who have questions about how today's food is grown and raised. USFRA is committed to continuous improvement and supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers efforts to increase confidence and trust in today's agriculture.

This press release was wholly or partially funded by one or more Checkoff programs.

SOURCE U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA)