Local Foods and School News from
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
Winter 2015
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Upcoming Events
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Capital Area Food Council 2016 Meetings
January 14 9:00-10:30am
February 11 4:30-6:00pm
March 10 9:00-10:30am
April 14 4:30-6:00pm
May 12 9:00-10:30am
June 9 4:30-6:00pm
Location: HCCA 36 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner
Register Now
Maine Nutrition Council Annual Conference
Friday, April 8 at Kennebec Valley Community College Alfond Campus, Hinckley, ME
Slow Money Maine
Third Thursdays Odd Months 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Christ Church 2 Dresden Avenue, Gardiner
SNAP-Ed Cooking Matters at the Store Tours
Look for store tour events coming to local Hannaford locations.
Upcoming Events:
January 26, 2016 3:00-5:30
Cony Hannaford
To arrange a tour for your SNAP-eligible group, contact Emily Knipp
at 207.588.5081 or
eknipp@mcd.org
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Local Farmers' Markets
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| Kennebec County Augusta Farmers' Market at Mill Park 1 North Water Street, the old Edwards Mill site May-November Tuesdays 2-6pm December-April Tuesdays 12:30-2:00pm EBT, WIC, Credit & Debit Accepted http://www.mainefarmersmarkets.org/market/augusta-farmers-market-at-mill-park/ Viles Arboretum Farmers' Market 153 Hospital Street Year round Fridays 2:00-5:00pm Other Options: Crown o' Maine Organic Cooperative, for worksites looking to create their own mini farmers' market, buying clubs may be just what you need. To learn more visit
Somerset County Skowhegan Skowhegan Farmers' Market Somerset Grist Mill May-October Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm June-October Wednesdays 3:00pm-6:00pm Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm November-April 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10:00am-1:00pm EBT, WIC, Debit & Credit Accepted www.skowheganfarmersmarket.com |
Links to Useful Resources
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National Farm to School Network
NFSN enables every child to have access to nutritious food while simultaneously benefiting communities and local farmers.
FMI & Resources: farmtoschool.org
Maine Ag in the Classroom
MAITC provides information about agricultural concepts to teachers, students, and interested citizens.
FMI & Resources:
Maine School Garden Network
MSGN promotes and supports educational gardens for youth and encourages school programs that teach healthy eating and environmental stewardship.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks
Food policy council database and resources.
FMI & Resources:
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HCCA Board of Directors
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Mary Frances Bartlett
Local Health Officer
Augusta, ME
Dan Emery
Marketing Consultant
Augusta, ME
Rob Gordon
Kennebec Valley United Way
Augusta, ME
Virgel Hammonds
West Gardiner, ME
Kala Ladenheim, Secretary
Gardiner, ME
Barbara Moss, DO
Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency
Family Medicine Institute
Augusta, ME
Emilie van Eeghen, Vice Chair
MaineGeneral Community Care
Waterville, ME
Tom Warren, Treasurer
Kennebec Valley YMCA
Augusta, ME
Frederick A. White, PhD
Private practice psychologist
Augusta, ME
Jim Wood, Chair
KVCAP
Waterville, ME
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Enjoy!
Renee Page
HCCA Local Foods Projects & Roles:
- Maine Farm to School Network, Coordinator
- National Farm to School Network Northeast Regional Steering Committee, Maine State Lead
- Maine Farm to Institution Leadership Team, Coordinator
- Reducing Food Waste & Increasing Access to Fresh, Local Foods in Southern Kennebec County, Project Coordinator
- FoodCorps Service Site, Supervisor
- Capital Area Food Council, Convener & Sponsor
- Maine Network of Community Food Councils, Member
- SNAP-Ed Provider
- Former USDA Farm to School Grantee
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| Culinary Herb Training at RSU 38 |
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Healthy Communities of the Capital Area Hosts Nutrition Staff Training
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, with support from a USDA Farm to School Grant and in collaboration with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, provided a hands-on culinary herb training for the entire RSU 38 nutrition staff. Associate Extension Professor, Kathy Savoie, MS, RD, shared ways to spice up traditional school meals using fresh herbs and spices as a way to reduce fat and sodium while making foods taste great! Kathy gave advice on the best herbs to grow in the school garden and strategies for preserving them for use throughout the school year.
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| Rice and Veggies 3 Different Ways |
Participants prepared spice mixes, experimented flavoring the same dish different ways, and prepared foods that typically do not have herbs and spices like popcorn and smoothies.
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Creating Herb and Spice Mix for Popcorn
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Beginning this school year, schools that participate in the USDA National School Lunch Program must meet minimum professional development standards for all nutrition staff. This training provided professional development hours toward the requirements. Please contact
Renee Page
if you are interested in bringing this training to your district.
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| Herbed Potato Salad 2 Ways |
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| Sampling Recipes with Instructor Kathy Savoie (right) |
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| FoodCorps Happenings |
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Please Support RSU 38 School Garden Fundraiser: Ends December 16!
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| Raised bed in the Maranacook Community High School Garden |
Established in 2010 by one intrepid student, the Maranacook Community High School garden is now run by the Student Sustainability Committee, a group of dedicated high school students who aim to make it an educational space as well as a source of fresh produce for cafeterias across the district.
SeedMoney will match donations. If you miss the deadline for this online fundraiser, please contact Jada Wensman to find out how to make a donation.
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| HCCA Awarded $50,000 Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation Healthy Food Fund Grant |
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Food Waste Reduction, Food Processing, and Nutrition Education Project to Increase Access to Fresh, Local Foods
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area is collaborating with the Kennebec Sheriff's Office
Kennebec Restorative Community Harvest to Reduce Food Waste and Increase Access to Fresh, Local Foods in Southern Kennebec County.
"Our goal for the Harvard Pilgrim Healthy Food Fund is to make fresh, local food easily accessible and affordable for more low- and middle-income families in our region," said Karen Voci, President of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation.
The project supports gleaning initiatives, food processing
and distribution, and nutrition education in an effort to reduce food waste, provide food for those in need, and provide nutrition education to reduce chronic diseases.
For More In
formation, contact Project Coordinator Rene
e Page
rpage@mcd.org
207.588.5020
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| Capital Area Food Council Hosts Maine Food Atlas Trainings |
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Maine Food Atlas Populated with Local Sites
The Capital Area Food Council hosted two interactive trainings provided by Ken Morse, Maine Network of Community Food Councils Coordinator. The Maine Food Atlas is a one stop shop for community local food assets. Find food producers, farm to school programs, nutrition educators, and more! Visit Maine Food Atlas
and add your local food organization. It is fast and easy! Look for some of the sites who participated in the training:
- Cony School Garden
- Gardiner Food Co-op and Cafe
- MSAD 11 Gardiner Schools Nutrition Program
- RSU 38 Maranacook Schools Nutrition Program
- Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
- Gardiner Farmers' Market
- Crescent Run Farm
- ...and more!
If you would like to learn more about the Maine Food Atlas, contact Ken Morse at kenmorse@mac.com or 207.393.0134
If you would like to learn more about the work of the Capital Area Food Council, attend a meeting, or become more involved, contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org or 207.588.5020 or visit
hccame.org/cafc
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| HCCA Can Help You Update Your School's Substance Use, Tobacco, or Wellness Policy |
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Substance Use Policy Guide Available
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| SAMHS School Substance Use Policy Guide |
Maine Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services updated its School Substance Use Policy Guide and Healthy Maine Partnership staff across the state are available to help schools update their substance use policies. Effective substance use policies are an essential part of creating a healthy, safe school environment for students, staff, and communities.
Key Components of a Model Policy:
- Philosophy Statement
- Community Involvement
- Communication of Policy
- Prevention Education
- Prohibitions
- Enforcement
- Consequences
- Intervention & Treatment
- Review & Revision
Free Campus Signage from Partnership for a Tobacco-Free Maine
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| Free Tobacco-Free Campus signage from PTM |
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area is your school's resource for technical assistance, model policy language, and free Tobacco Free Campus signage. Join other school districts across that state that have enhanced their tobacco policy language to meet model policy guidelines that address tobacco use prevention, alternatives to suspension, new and emerging tobacco products like e-cigarettes, and more.
Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act School Wellness Policy Requirements
In an effort to help combat childhood obesity, all schools that participate in the National School Lunch and/or Breakfast Programs must have a local wellness policy in place. But did you know there are new requirements for those policies related to policy content, communication, and implementation? Contact HCCA for technical assistance, model policy language, and resources.
It is recommended that schools review and revise their policies at least once every two years. FMI: Contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org.
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I hope you enjoyed learning more about local food and school happenings in southern Kennebec County. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more or becoming involved.
In Health,
Renee Page,
Assistant Director, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area |
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Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is a coalition of local people who work locally to improve the health and quality of life in our communities. HCCA hosts the Central District Maine Farm to School Network Representative and a FoodCorps Service Member. HCCA is a USDA Farm to School, Maine Ag in the Classroom, and Maine Network of Community Food Councils grantee.
Maine SNAP-Ed is funded by the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Serves (DHHS) and implemented through a contract with the University of New England (UNE). Utilizing the Healthy Maine Partnership agencies statewide as access points for SNAP-Ed delivery, we strive to educate Maine SNAP recipients on low-cost, healthy eating and active lifestyles.
HCCA is one of 27 local Healthy Maine Partnerships and receives funds from the Fund for a Healthy Maine.
HCCA's mission is to convene people, organizations, and communities to collaborate on quality of life and public health issues.
HCCA serves the southern Kennebec County towns of Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Vienna, West Gardiner, Wayne, Windsor, Winthrop, and Richmond in Sagadahoc County. |
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