HELENA (AP) -- Gov. Brian Schweitzer will convene a statewide Food and Agriculture Summit here on March 22-23 to explore ways to make healthy food produced in the state more available to needy Montanans.

The summit is open to the public.

Participants will explore opportunities for increasing Montana's food production, processing and distribution infrastructure; identify economic and social barriers faced by low-income people in accessing proper food and nutrition; and address policy and system changes needed to increase food security and ensure a sustainable, healthy food system.

''The goal of this summit is to bring concerned, informed citizens together to help forge a stronger connection between food production and hunger reduction,'' Schweitzer said. ''I look forward to hearing their innovative ideas.''

Keynote speaker at the summit will be Molly Anderson, a researcher and educator on the science and policy of food systems. Anderson has directed the U.S. Regional Office of Oxfam, supporting programs and policy that help rural communities. She is on the governing board of the national Community Food Security Coalition.

The cost to register is $25 through March 10 and $35 thereafter. To register contact Gail Brockbank, event coordinator, at 406-442-4141 or gailb@mt.net.