Maine
Farm to School News
July 2020
Congratulations to the 2020 USDA Farm to School Grant Maine recipients!

On an annual basis since 2013, the USDA awards competitive Farm to School grants that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs to schools, school districts, nonprofits, state agencies, agricultural producers, and Indian Tribal Organizations. 2020 Maine Awardees:



New Local Procurement Workshop from MFSN,
VT FEED, and USDA
Explore the variety of ways to prioritize and define "local" for your meal program! MFSN partnered with the 2020 Virtual Northeast Farm to School Institute to offer this workshop, made possible by a 2019 USDA Farm to School Training Grant . This 2-hour workshop features each breakout work group exploring a different local procurement scenario - from purchasing your school garden produce to buying local across state lines.
New COVID-19 Resource Page on MFSN's Website
COVID-19 Safety Policy for Garden video featuring MFSN Leadership Council member Lily Chaleff

Garden Chats Resources from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Growing Maine Gardeners activities for kids


Podcast from Food Sleuth Radio: Interview with Craig Willingham: Did you know that food is a driver of economic and community development?

Tools for Schools: Focusing on Smart Snacks. updated guides and recipes from USDA
New Equity Resource Page on MFSN's Website
In the News: Local Food During COVID-19
Gov. Janet Mills discusses how to reopen schools this fall
Harvest of the Month Program Now Available for CACFP and Summer Programs
New Harvest of the Month Curriculum from Maine Ag in the Classroom!
July is Maine Summer Squash Month!
August is Maine Cucumbers Month!
Share your Harvest of the Month photos & stories on Instagram @hom.maine #mainehom. Contact Robin Kerber to learn more about participating in Harvest of the Month
Funding Opportunities


COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Funding - accepted on a rolling basis!
  • GENYOUth is providing grants of up to $3,000 per school to supply much-needed resources for meal distribution and delivery efforts

  • Rotating Deadline: application for Seed Funding is available until August 31, 2020
Webinars


  • Hosted weekly with activists at the frontlines of the food movement and COVID-19

  • a panel from black, indigenous, people of color farmers
Call to Action: Support Maine Farmworkers
Mano en Mano 's Estamos Aquí Fund is a mutual aid fund to support farmworkers in Maine with financial challenges associated with COVID-19, especially those who are not eligible for government support right now. Community members can request and receive direct funds for whatever immediate needs they are facing including housing, utilities, food, and more. Donate today.