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Welcome to the Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network Monthly newsletter!
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Every month MEFTI highlights the vibrant connections between Maine’s farms, fishermen, institutions, organizations, and communities. This newsletter keeps you up to date with upcoming opportunities, events, resources, and news regarding the continuing work of Farm to Institution across the state, and beyond. Whether you are an advocate, farmer, educator, food service professional, or anyone interested in our work, you will find valuable information to help us build a healthy and sustainable regional food system. | |
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December 2024 - In This Edition:
- Faces of Farm to Institution
- Upcoming Events and Opportunities
- News From The Network
- In The Kitchen
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Faces of Farm to Institution | |
In this series, MEFTI celebrates the diverse individuals who are at the heart of the Farm to Institution movement in Maine. From the hardworking farmers and food producers, to the buyers and distributors, policymakers, advocates, food service staff, and consumers shaping the future of our food system, we shine a light on the many faces behind the scenes. | | |
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Welcome Sarah to the MEFTI Team
MEFTI is excited to welcome Sarah Sims who recently joined HCCA as a Food Systems Program Associate. Sarah will support the Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network with communications, event facilitation, and coordinating farm to school programs. Join us in welcoming Sarah to the team!
Before joining HCCA, Sarah spent many years farming in Vermont and California. Prior to relocating to Maine in May of 2024, Sarah led operations at a food hub and organic restaurant in her hometown, where she connected families with locally grown food while supporting small farmers and producers. With a deep belief in the transformational power of food, she sees an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the state’s health, food security, working landscapes, and local economy.
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Submit a nomination to our Program Associate Sarah at s.sims@hccame.org and help MEFTI share their story. | |
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Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute Informational Webinar
January 9, 2025 | Zoom | 3:00-4:00pm
Join us on January 9 for an informational webinar about the Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute. Institute leaders and participates will give an overview of the program, share application tips, describe the benefits of taking part in The Institute, and explain next steps for you and your school team.
APPLICATIONS OPEN JANUARY 6 FOR THE 2025 MAINE FARM AND SEA TO SCHOOL INSTITUTE
Think the Institute could be a good fit for your school community or have someone in mind who might be interested?
Please spread the word or contact Alida Peterson at a.peterson@hccame.org with any questions.
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Maine Agricultural Trade Show
January 14–16, 2025 | Augusta Civic Center | Admission Free
The Maine Ag Trade Show is an annual event sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF), for farms, agricultural, and related sectors to network and connect around business needs and trends. Producers and consumers alike visit this three-day show to get professional expertise, learn about technologies, and gather information on the agriculture industry.
| MEFTI is thrilled to be hosting and participating in several events at the Maine Ag Trade Show focused on strengthening Farm to Institution in Maine. | |
Are you a farmer or producer interested in selling to institutions?
Are you a buyer interested in sourcing Maine food?
| MEFTI invites you to join us and our partners for three days of connection and learning! | |
Shaping Maine's Food System through Collaboration
January 15, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Join MEFTI, DOE, and Full Plates Full Potential for a dynamic discussion focused on shaping Maine’s food system through collaboration. Hear from a panel of Maine’s food system changemakers as they share insights on the power of working together in driving positive change. This session will feature projects from USDA & Full Plates Full Potential School Food System Innovation grantees, highlighting innovative approaches to improving school food systems and strengthening Maine’s local food economy. Be inspired by real-world examples of how working together can create a lasting impact in our communities across the state.
Local Food Buyers and Sellers Meet-Up
January 15, 2025 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Are you a Maine farmer or food producer looking to sell to new buyers? Are you a buyer interested in sourcing more Maine food? Attend this matchmaking event to connect with new local food buyers and sellers. Farmers, schools, colleges, hospitals, prisons, and other wholesale and institutional partners welcome.
Maine Ag in the Classroom
January 14, 2025 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Learn more about local schools and their connection to Maine agriculture.
Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative
January 16, 2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Discuss work to provide Maine institutions with the highest possible percentage of healthy, local foods with a focus on a quadruple bottom line model: Social, Environmental, Economics, Diet & Health
The Local Food Switchboard Project - coordinating our local food supply chain and institutional buyers!
January 16, 2025 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Come learn about the Switchboard, connect with members, and provide your insights to develop an effective program.
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2025 Patrick Leahy Farm to School (and ECE) Grant Program RFA Open
LFPA and LFS Funding: USDA Announces Availability of $1.13 Billion for Local Food Programs
NHSA GroMoreGood Garden Grants
Deadline: January 10, 2025
- National Head Start Association (NHSA) Garden Grants will supplement needs of existing garden projects, help launch new garden projects, or supplement/launch outdoor green space projects.
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The Maine Food Convergence 2025 Request for Workshop Proposals is open!
The Maine Food Convergence will convene on May 29th, 2025 in Jefferson at the Kieve Wavus Campus. The 2025 Convergence Event is a gathering designed to facilitate conversation, build trust, and celebrate collective action toward creating a more equitable, resilient food system in Maine. [Learn more and submit a workshop proposal]
Maine School Garden Network is seeking nominations for Maine School Garden Day
The Maine School Garden Network is seeking nominations for educational speakers/workshops for Maine School Garden Day. Learn more [[here] and submit a nomination.
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Farm To Institution Around the World | |
F2i Around the World aims to spark inspiration and provoke thoughtful conversation by showcasing innovative Farm to Institution Initiatives beyond the pines. From grassroots projects to large-scale collaborations, we'll highlight the ways communities around the world are building regional food networks through institutional connections. MEFTI hopes these stories inspire new ideas and connections for our own work, and encourage us all to think globally as we continue to grow locally. | | |
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Celebrate Harvest of the Month with MEFTI!
Harvest of the Month (HOM) is a nationwide marketing campaign promoting the use of seasonally available, local products in schools, institutions, and communities. Each month, a different local product is highlighted and participating entities pledge to serve the product and promote it through educational materials and activities.
Many schools in Maine have already made the pledge, and more local food is being served and eaten across the State. Learn more and get involved!
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December's Harvest
WINTER SQUASH
Winter Squash belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, along with cucumbers and melons, and are widely celebrated for their rich flavors and versatility. One of the oldest domesticated crops native to North and Central America, people have been cultivating winter squash for thousands of years, both for its culinary uses and its ability to be stored for months, making it a staple crop through the colder seasons. The English word for this Maine staple is an abbreviation of the Narragansett word 'askutasquash' which translates to something like “eaten raw or uncooked” or "a green thing eaten raw."
WINTER SQUSAH RECIPES FOR SCHOOLS + INSTITUTIONS
Butternut Squash Casserole - Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Squash and Black Bean Chili - CA DOE
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“This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive.”
― Alice Waters
MEFTI is thrilled to announce that we've recently expanded our communications capacity and are excited to continue growing this newsletter. Our goal is to share even more of the incredible work happening throughout the state. If you have a story or update to contribute to a future edition, we'd love to hear from you.
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For any questions about Maine Farm & Sea to Institution, please contact Healthy Communities of the Capital Area's Food Systems Team Alida Peterson at a.peterson@hccame.org & Sarah Sims at s.sims@hccame.org | |
Maine Farm and Sea to Institution catalyzes a social impact network focused on Farm to Institution in Maine to build a healthy and sustainable regional food system. To Learn more, visit our website.
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Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is supported by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation | Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is supported by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation | Maine Farm & Sea to School Institute is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture | | | | |
