We are embarking on a strategic planning process and need your input! 

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is the home and backbone to Maine Farm & Sea to School Network (MFSN), Maine Farm to Institution (MEFTI), and has a role in leading and supporting many other local food networks and outcome projects. 

The Networks have a lot to celebrate, having met previous strategic priorities such as launching a vibrant Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute and supporting Farm to Institution projects such as the Maine Marinara Collaborative. The networks have also navigated the challenges that the pandemic posed to all partners and successful network convening. This year we have also transitioned backbone staff celebrating the four-year leadership of Stephanie Cesario and welcoming in a new Food Systems Coordinator, Alida Farrell! Now is the time for these networks to forge a path forward and revisit where their priorities should lie for the next 3-5 years. 

HCCA is working with Lily Chaleff - former MFSN Leadership Council Member - to lead the strategic planning process for both of the networks to not only identify priorities, but also find efficiencies between the two limited-resourced network structures while also honoring their unique missions.

Between now and mid-December we are asking for participation in this process.

There are multiple opportunities to engage and share your perspective:

• Who? EVERYONE!
• What? Feedback provided will inform the foundation of the process moving forward, and is the most low barrier way to give your honest and insightful input. 

Time: Please take 15-30 minutes to fill out the Strategic Planning Feedback Survey out before Wednesday, November 15

• Who? Current MEFTI leadership team and subcommittee members as well as folks who hold the following roles, are passionate about local food systems, but are not yet involved in the network:
• Food Producers, Processors, and Distributors
• Food-serving Institutional buyers
• Policy makers
• Funders
• Organizational, Network, and State Agency Partners
• What? Discussing structure and priorities, and capacity related specifically to Maine Farm to Institution 
• When? Thursday, November 30 10:00am-1:00pm
• Where? DACF Deering Building (Room 106) Blossom Lane, Augusta

• Who? Everyone in the local food system is invited!
• What? This will be focused on delivering synthesized themes from survey and strategic planning sessions to get final collaborative thought partnership on priorities and structure for the both MEFTI and MFSN, as well as identify opportunities for commitments and collaboration from partners
• When? Tuesday, December 12 10:00am - 1:00pm
• Where? Virtually on Zoom

For any questions about Maine Farm to Institution, please contact Healthy Communities of the Capital Area's Food Systems Coordinator Alida Farrell at a.farrell@hccame.org