The city of Bessemer’s Mayor’s Office in conjunction with the Bessemer Local Food Education Network and Alabama A&M is sponsoring a Bessemer Food Connection Symposium on Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bessemer Civic Center, 1130 Ninth Avenue SW. Bessemer Food Connection is a symposium for food consumers, food producers and those who make food and government policy. Consumers will learn about local food benefits and nutrition, producers will learn about grants, GAP, value added products and other resources. Government officials will learn about the economic and health benefits of local foods to their city or county and grant opportunities. Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture John McMillan will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon. See the flyer for more information.