Photos: Check Out Highlights From The 2014 Roots Conference

This past weekend was not only the return of the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, but also the annual Roots Conference, a symposium hosted at The Culinary Vegetable Institute covering a wide range of food issues.

The Daily Meal interviewed the Roots Conference host, farmer Lee Jones about the importance of keeping Americans in touch with their food sources, and have been following along the live updates from the conference, which concludes on October 20.

Here are some of the best bits and pieces, from the best quotes and one-liners to the best photos shared by speakers and guests like:

 "Cotton candy, Culinary veg institute-style" from Ted Allen:

 

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Cotton candy, Culinary veg institute-style! #RootsConnect2014

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Persimmon, shown in its dried form at two weeks and 52 weeks for presentation,

 

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dried persimmon 2 weeks and 52 weeks for presentation @kyleconnaughton @alibouzari #rootsconnect2014

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"Cricket soba" with pickled vegetables:

 

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Cricket soba, pickled vegetables @cpandel @thechefsgarden #rootsconnect2014

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The full dinner menu:

 

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Menu, #RootsConnect2014–and yes, the cricket soba is made from... yes ;)

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The guests:

 

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Now this is a communal table! Beautiful #dinner in the greenhouse @culinaryvegetableinstitute. #rootsconnect2014

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And a small sample of the vegetables from The Chef's Garden.

 

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Gorgeous #vegetables from @thechefsgarden. Sampling of the abundant selection @ #RootsConnect2014. #TheCulinaryVegetableInstitute #thechefsgarden

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And now, the best quotes: 

 For the latest food and drink updates, visit our Food News page.

Karen Lo is an associate editor at The Daily Meal. Follow her on Twitter @appleplexy.