Stay up to date with opportunities, events, resources, and news from the Farm & Sea to Institution network | | |
In This Edition
- Upcoming Webinar: Maine Cold Storage
- Upcoming Workshop: Spotlight on Wholesale Marketing Forum
- Buyer and Seller Meet-up and Farmer Social
- Get Counted in the 2025 Local Food Count
- Deadline Approaching: Apply for the Northeast Farm to School Institute
- Applications open for FoodCorps
- Farm to School Winter Activities
- F2I Events Calendar
- Harvest of the Month (HOM)
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Upcoming Webinar
Behind the Supply Chain Series: Cold Storage
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Presented by the Local Food Processing Workgroup, this six-part webinar series takes a deep dive into the supply chain that keeps food moving around the state.
All upcoming Behind the Supply Chain webinars:
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Cold Storage | February 10, 11AM-12:30PM | Register
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Lessons from Maine's Seafood Supply Chain | March 10, 11AM-12:30PM | Register
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Food Hubs in Maine | April 14, 11AM-12:30PM | Register
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State & Regional Perspectives on Food System Infrastructure | May 12, 11AM-12:30PM | Register
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Upcoming Workshop:
Spotlight on Wholesale Marketing
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Join Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network at the Farmer to Farmer Conference hosted by Maine Organic Farmer's and Gardener's Association.
Spotlight on Wholesale Marketing
Sunday, February 8, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Join a conversation about the opportunities and challenges for regional producers accessing and expanding into wholesale market channels. Experienced farmers as well as new/beginning farmers who are interested in wholesale marketing are encouraged to bring your questions, knowledge, frustrations, and aspirations for what the landscape looks like for selling your farm products to regional grocery buyers, distributors, institutions, and others across the Northeast.
| | Buyer and Seller Meet-up & Farmer Social | | |
February 7 @ 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Allagash Brewing, Portland, ME
Join Maine Organic Farmer's and Gardener's Association and The Rodale Institute for a buyer and seller meet-up and networking event at Allagash, followed by a tour of the facility and a farmer social and drinks. Connect directly with local buyers and growers, learn from their real-world experience, and tap into resources that can boost your business. Farmers can explore new sales channels, buyers can discover trustworthy local suppliers, and everyone can build the relationships that keep our regional food system thriving.
RSVP here for this free event
| | Calling Maine Businesses to Get Counted in the 2025 Local Food Count | | |
The Local Food Count is part of the New England Feeding New England initiative, which aims to strengthen the region’s food system and increase local food sourcing. Data collection is open through April 30, 2026, and the information gathered will help identify current purchasing patterns and opportunities to expand local procurement.
"Getting counted is a simple but powerful way for organizations to contribute to regional food resilience,” said Leah Rovner, Director, New England Food System Planners Partnership. “The data we collect together will inform strategies to strengthen our local food economy.”
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Last Call: Apply for the 2026-27
Northeast Farm to School Institute!
| | Photo source: Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) | | |
Whether you're a long-time farm to school advocate or looking to begin integrating food, farm, and nutrition programs into your school community, you're invited to form a team and apply.
The Institute kicks off June 23–25 with a summer retreat at Shelburne Farms in Vermont.
Spend the retreat developing a farm to school action plan with your team, networking with schools from across the Northeast, and taking part in educator and school nutrition staff specific professional learning.
Year-long support includes coaching, professional learning,
and networking with your regional farm to school community.
Applications are due Monday, February 9, 2026.
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Applications are open:
Join FoodCorps Maine
| | Photo source: Food Corps Maine | | FoodCorps is recruiting talented leaders who want to grow healthy school food environments in communities through hands-on, experiential food education. | | Farm to School Activities in the Winter Months | | |
Although most crops are sleeping and the garden has been put to bed, winter is far from quiet when it comes to farm to school learning. The colder months offer a valuable opportunity to slow down, reflect, and deepen students’ connections to food, the garden, and the people who grow and harvest food, both indoors and out.
Check out these ideas from the Maine Farm to School Network to inspire farm to school learning all year long.
What Farm to School Activities are you integrating this winter? Let us know!
| | F2I Jobs, Funding, & Resources Board | | |
JOBS BOARD
FUNDING BOARD
More Funding Opportunities...
NEW RESOURCES BOARD
| | F2I Winter 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
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Thank you for being part of Maine’s Farm to Institution community.
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.
| | | | 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 | | | | |
