Stay up to date with opportunities, events, resources, and news on the continuing work of Farm & Sea to Institution across the State of Maine | | |
In This Edition
- Maine Delegation at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
- MEFTI Lead Team Member receives School Food Innovation Award
- Behind the Supply Chain Webinar Series
- Upcoming Matchmaking Event
- Dive Into Food Sovereignty
- Farm to School 101 Workshop
- Farm to School Northeast Podcast
- ME F2I Jobs, Funding, & Resources
- F2I Events Calendar
- Harvest of the Month (HOM)
| | Maine Delegation at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Albuquerque | | Pictured (left to right): Jim Hanna, Alida Peterson, Catherine Brown, Martha Poliquin, Sophie Scott, Renee Page, Sarah Sims, Lucy Flores, Kristie LeBlanc | | |
A strong contingent of Maine food systems leaders traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the 10th Annual National Farm to Cafeteria Conference, hosted by the National Farm to School Network. Over three days, participants from across the country gathered for collaborative learning, networking, and strategy-building focused on expanding local food sourcing and agricultural education in institutional settings.
Maine was well represented by attendees from Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA), Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Somerset Public Health, The Local Food Switchboard, Cumberland County Food Security Council, Studio Magic Hour, and others working to advance farm to institution efforts statewide.
MEFTI has returned home with new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and valuable connections to support continued growth of farm to institution efforts across the state.
| | MEFTI extends its sincere gratitude to the National Farm to School Network for their leadership and dedication, and to the State of New Mexico for its gracious hospitality and for sharing its rich culture and community! | | MEFTI Lead Team Member Receives School Food Innovation Award | | Pictured: Sophie Scott, Gulf of Maine Research Institute | | |
MEFTI is celebrating lead team member, Sophie Scott, who received a Farm to Cafeteria Innovation Award for Gulf of Maine Research Institute's Sea to School program.
Presented by the National Farm to School Network, the Urban School Food Alliance, and Pilot Light, this award recognizes innovative approaches that bring local foods and food education into school meals. GMRI’s Sea to School program supports K–12 schools across New England in serving more local seafood while connecting students to the story, culture, and sustainability behind their food.
Congratulations Sophie!
👉 Learn more about GMRI’s Sea to School work
| | Behind the Supply Chain Webinar Series: Latest Recording Now Available | | Hosted by the Maine Local Food Processing Workgroup in partnership with Maine Farm & Sea to Institution, Maine Food Convergence, and Maine Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Conservation | | |
A Day in the Life of Maine Processors and Aggregators
November 12, 11AM-12:30PM
Watch the Recording
Procuring and Processing Surplus & Imperfect Crops
December 9, 11AM-12:30PM
Watch the Recording
| | Upcoming Matchmaking Event for Local Producers and Buyers | | |
Are you an institutional buyer, local producer, or distributor?
Come to the 2026 Maine Agriculture Trades Show!
When: Thursday, January 15 10:00 - 1:00
Where: Augusta Civic Center, in the Capital Room
Get inspired by Maine farmers, food producers, aggregators, and buyers on how they have incorporated farm to institution (FTI) work into their business. Spend most of the session making connections to buy and sell more local food. Come with your business cards and promotional materials.
| | Dive Into Food Sovereignty: New Zine & Survey | | |
The concept of food sovereignty has gained significant traction in Maine, as more people and communities explore what it means in practice.
In 2017, Maine became the first state in the nation to pass a food sovereignty law that affirms local control over food systems and supports direct producer-to-consumer relationships. Then, in 2021, Maine voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a “right to food,” which recognizes that individuals have the right to grow, raise, harvest, produce, and consume the food of their choosing.
What exactly does "food sovereignty" and "right to food" mean for individuals, families, and communities here in Maine? How can understanding this term help us make better food choices, support equity in our food system, and address current challenges—from land access to access to healthy, culturally meaningful food?
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Freedom Feast is a Food Sovereignty Zine — a community-made, independent publication centering collective food stories here in Maine. In this zine you’ll find incredible local artwork, poetry, essays, resources to learn more about food sovereignty, and more.
Use the QR code to read online and learn more!
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What do "Right to Food" and "Food Sovereignty" mean to you?
The Maine Network of Community Food Councils (MNCFC) helps shape how we understand and discuss the Right to Food amendment and food sovereignty in Maine. MNCFC is seeking public feedback—be part of the conversation and share your voice.
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Upcoming Workshop:
Dive into Farm to School
Partnerships that Transform Local Food
| | Farm to School Northeast Podcast | | | | A podcast exploring the creative ways that local food is getting into school cafeterias and how food system education is playing out in classrooms and school gardens across the Northeast. | | |
Innovating in Farm to School in Maine?
The Farm to School Northeast Podcast is always looking for new stories to share from across the region. If you’re interested in sharing your story, reach out to s.sims@hccame.org.
| | ME F2I Jobs, Funding, & Resources | | |
JOBS BOARD
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Nutrition Project Coordinator | Auburn School Department; Nutrition Program, Auburn, Maine | Application Deadline: Posted until filled | $42/hr-16 hours/week Part-Time.
FUNDING BOARD
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Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: funding for market research, market promotion, and new technology projects specifically to benefit Maine specialty crop producers | Due: December 19, 2025.
NEW RESOURCES BOARD
| | F2I Winter Webinar Series | | |
December 17, 2025| 12-1:00 | Virtual | FINE Webinar Series
January 14, 2026| 12-1:00 | Virtual | FINE Webinar Series
February 10, 11-12:30 | Virtual | Beyond the Supply Chain Webinar Series
- Sowing Success at Bon Appétit: Local Sourcing and Lessons Learned
February 11, 2026| 12-1:00 | Virtual | FINE Webinar Series
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Lessons from Maine's Seafood Supply Chain
March 10, 2026| 11-12:30 | Virtual | Beyond the Supply Chain Webinar Series
- Unlocking the Full Potential of School Food Systems
March 11, 2026| 12-1:00 | Virtual | FINE Webinar Series
April 14, 11AM-12:30PM | Virtual | Beyond the Supply Chain webinar series
- State & Regional Perspectives on Food System Infrastructure
May 12, 2026|11-12:30PM | Virtual | Beyond the Supply Chain webinar Series
| | Three Sisters Crop Planting; Illustration by Jordyn Vowels | | |
For any questions about Maine Farm & Sea to Institution, please contact Healthy Communities of the Capital Area's Food Systems Coordinators
Alida Peterson at a.peterson@hccame.org and Sarah Sims at s.sims@hccame.org
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MEFTI fosters collective power through collaboration and coordination to strengthen farm to institution efforts in Maine. By addressing systemic challenges and supporting public health, education, and the local food economy, MEFTI catalyzes a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system that benefits all. To Learn more, visit mainefarmtoinstitution.org
| | | | Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is supported by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation | | | | Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is supported by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation | | | | |
