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Stay up to date with upcoming opportunities, events, resources, and news on the continuing work of Farm to Institution across the state.
Whether you are an advocate, farmer, educator, food service professional, or anyone interested in MEFTI's work across the supply chain, you will find valuable information to help us build a healthy and sustainable regional food system.
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In This Email
- Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- USDA Terminates Program for Local Food in Schools and Child Care
- A call to Action for Community Partners to Support School Nutrition Programs
- Maine Farm & Sea to School Institute Applications Due 3/14
- Processing opportunity for Maine Farmers
- Panel on Composting in Schools
- Join the Maine Food Policy Workgroup
- Panel Discussion on the Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) Grant
- Year of Youth in Agriculture
- Proposed Funding Cuts to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
- Maine Farmers Speak Out: How Federal Funding Freezes Are Impacting Maine Communities
- Podcast Spotlight
- Harvest of the Month
| | UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES | |
ROOTS Conference
"Regional Opportunities for Ocean, Timber and Soil"
March 22 | Machias, ME
2025 Eastern Maine ROOTS Conference brings together industry leaders in agriculture, food, forestry management, fisheries, and aquaculture. Presenters and service providers from UMaine, local agencies, and non-profit organizations will be present to share information with Eastern Maine farmers, fisherfolk, growers, woodland owners and interested community members.
When: Saturday, March 22, 2025
Snow Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Where:University of Maine at Machias
Reynold’s Center, 116 O’Brien Avenue, Machias, Maine 04654
Learn more and Register
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Northeast Farm to Institution Summit is Coming to Maine!
April 7 - 9, 2025 | Portland, ME
The Northeast Farm to Institution Summit has become a seminal event for a dynamic network of communities, organizations, and institutions working together to create a just, equitable, and regenerative food system in New England and beyond.
Where: Holiday Inn by the Bay | 88 Spring St Portland, Maine 04101
Who: More than 500 participants typically attend, including but not limited to: food service operators, producers, supply chain businesses, advocates, public officials, educators, funders, and students.
Register Today!
The Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is a proud sponsor of the 2025 FINE Summit
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21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge
April 7- 27 | Online
Food Solutions New England will host it’s 11th annual 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge. Each year, thousands of individuals and hundreds of officially participating organizations join in a shared journey of learning and charting a course of action to dismantle racism in our food system and our world.
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Principle 6 Conference: Cooperatives Build a Better Maine
May 3 | Auburn, ME
Join the Cooperative Maine Business Alliance at Edward Little High School for a day filled with discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities centered around the power of cooperatives in shaping a brighter future for Maine.
When: Sat May 3, 2025 9:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Edward Little High School 77 Harris St Auburn, ME 04210
Learn more and Register
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The Maine Food Convergence
May 29 | 9am - 4:30pm |Jefferson, ME
The 2025 Convergence will explore how shifts in the food system can advance social and racial equity while increasing climate resilience.
Registration deadline: May 15th or until full
Where: Wavus Camps, 88 Wavus Point Road Jefferson, ME 04348
Who: The Convergence is a space for members of Maine's food, land, climate, and social justice efforts to gather, explore collaborations, and celebrate together. The event aims to:
- align networks around common priorities and connections;
- influence funders, legislators, and investors by supporting and centering the voices of impacted communities and people working on the ground;
- build common understanding around the intersectionality of racial, climate, economic, and food justice within Maine’s food system**;
- inspire, energize, and support participants to work together and implement actions catalyzed at the event (and beyond);
- and more!
Learn more and Register
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Read ME Agriculture in The Classroom
March 17-21 | Maine
The 2025 Read ME Agriculture program will be held March 17-21, for Maine grades PK-4 students. This year's book is "Farmer Eva's Green Garden Life," written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Christy Hale. Every classroom that participates will receive a copy of the book and accompanying educator’s guide, with aligned classroom activities.
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2025 Culinary Skills for School Meals Applications are Open!
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The Culinary Skills for School Meals training is a 5-day hands-on intensive culinary training for school nutrition professionals focusing on foundations for food service, including knife skills, cooking techniques, and kitchen efficiencies, to improve the culinary skills of school nutrition professionals.
When: There will be 4 Culinary Skills Trainings this year.
· August 4-8 | Mt Blue High School, Farmington
· August 11-15 | Edward Little High School, Auburn
· August 18-22 | Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk
· September 29-October 3 | Presque Isle High School*, Presque Isle
Application deadline: Friday, March 28
Additional information can be found at: LetsGo.org/CulinarySkills
*Preference will be given to school districts in Aroostook County.
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Upcoming Workshop:
Maple Sugaring in a Changing Climate
March 20 | Norway, ME
How is climate change impacting maple syrup production and what can we do to plan for a climate resilient future in the region?
Join GMRI and you will experience hands-on and interactive lesson activities, engage with data-based learning and get outdoors to learn more.
When: March 20, 2025 | 8:30-3:30pm
Where: The Roberts Farm Preserve Norway, Maine
Check out the full curriculum module here:
Maple Sugaring in a Warming Climate.
Register
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Virtual Webinar:
Investigating the Impacts of Climate Change on Growing Conditions Through the Use of Data and Hands-on Activities
April 17 | 12pm EDT | Virtual
Education staff from The Gulf of Maine Research Institute will share their experiences using data visualizations with educators and young people to investigate patterns and changes in the environment that affect our ability to grow food. They will also share resilience-based curriculum resources related to maple production and potato farming that can be used both in and out of school settings.
Hosted by the Farm-Based Educators Network and Shelburne Farms
Register
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Gardening for Older Adults Webinar
March 25 | 2 - 3:30 pm |Virtual via Zoom
Join the tri-state learning collaborative on aging for a webinar exploring the strength of gardening to enhance the lives of older adults. Learn how gardening can promote physical and mental health, reduce social isolation, and foster a sense of community. We will discuss:
- Strategies for creating accessible and inclusive garden spaces
- Opportunities for intergenerational gardening
- The role of community gardens in promoting social connection
- Best practices for supporting older adults in gardening activities
Invest in the well-being of older adults in your community. Register for this free webinar today!
Learn more and Register
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This year’s event theme, inspired by Maine’s Year of Youth in Agriculture, celebrates the impact of school gardens in shaping future farmers and land stewards. Join us to connect, learn, and grow with fellow educators and garden leaders!
When: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Where: Messalonskee High School / Middle School, Oakland, ME
Who: Since 2005, the Maine School Garden Network has offered the Maine School Garden Day event to provide topic specific workshops, garden tours, networking opportunities and more for school garden volunteers, coordinators and educators! Interested educators can obtain CEU’s for participation in the event upon request.
Register Here
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USDA Terminates Program for Local Food in Schools and Child Care
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially terminated the second round of the Local Food for Schools and Child Care (LFSCC) program, as well as its companion initiative, the Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program. The LFSCC program was slated to provide Maine with nearly $2.8 million over the next three years, enabling schools and child care sites to purchase locally sourced food and support regional farmers.
Before the federal program’s launch in the 2022-2023 school year, Maine schools spent just $128,000 on local food. Thanks to the LFSCC program, that figure more than quadrupled the following year, showcasing the program’s immediate and tangible benefits for local agriculture, rural economies, and access to fresh, healthy meals for children.
The cancellation of these programs represents a significant setback for Maine’s local food systems, rural communities, and the health of children who rely on nutritious, locally sourced meals. Without this critical funding, schools and child care sites may struggle to maintain their commitment to supporting local farmers and providing fresh, high-quality food to students.
Take Action Today!
Speak Up: Advocate for the restoration of funding for local food in schools and child care programs.
Share Your Story: Help illustrate the real impact of these cuts on your community, schools, or local farms.
Spread the Word: Share this information with your networks—farmers, educators, parents, and advocates—to raise awareness and build support.
The Maine Farm & Sea to School Network is actively monitoring the situation and working to address this challenge. Stay tuned for updates and additional ways to get involved.
| | Join the Network in Supporting Maine’s Child Nutrition Programs | | |
Full Plates Full Potential is working to get a sense of community partners across Maine that may be collaborators in supporting their local Child Nutrition Programs (also known as school meals!) to advocate for increased support. Increasing support for Child Nutrition Programs generally means helping school decision makers know how they can best value, prioritize, and invest in their departments, so these professionals can do their best work to nourish kids!
If you are a community partner to your schools food services, or are interested in being one, please contact Lily Chaleff at lchaleff@fullplates.org to fill out a form to help us build a picture of potential opportunities for collaboration and/or where the gaps are throughout the state.
We are also collecting tools, resources, and templates to support local advocacy efforts. Examples may include:
- Presentations slide decks or templates to school board/ decision makers
- One-pagers for decision makers
- Engagement models or support building strategies
Please reach out to Lily at lchaleff@fullplates.org with any questions, and feel free to share this widely!
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Deadline Reminder:
Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute Applications are due To
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The Maine Farm & Sea to School Network is excited to welcome teams from across the state to this unique opportunity to grow Farm & Sea to School programs in your schools and communities. This is a chance to get support to build healthier communities, increase access to fresh and nutritious meals to students, and build a strong network of peers statewide. Don’t miss this chance to make a lasting impact!
Application Deadline: Friday March 14, 2025
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Opportunity for Maine Farmers: Value-added Processing
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Harvesting Good recently upgraded their processing facilities and are inviting local farms to take advantage of our state-of-the-art services.
Here’s what they are offering:
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Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) & Floreting: Preserve freshness and expand market opportunities.
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High-Capacity Blanching & Chilling: Process up to 7,000 lbs daily to keep your produce at peak quality.
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Flexible Packaging: Options range from 10-30 lb cases to bulk totes.
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Value-Added Processing: Dicing, slicing, and coring services to elevate your product offerings.
By partnering with Harvesting Good, you can reduce waste, increase efficiency, and provide fresh, local products year-round.
Contact Harvesting Good today to learn more
| | Composting in Schools Webinar | | The Maine Food Convergence Project held a virtual panel on Composting in Schools last month. Watch the recording and learn from students and advocates who've worked on composting efforts in schools in Maine. | | Want to stay up to date with Food Policy in Maine? | | |
The Maine Food Policy Workgroup is excited to launch a weekly policy update newsletter.
The Work Group is an organizing initiative to create a broad based coalition in support of climate resilient, just food policy in Maine. Together we want to strengthen public support for Maine’s food movement.
We invite you to join our efforts!
| | Panel discussion on the Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP) grant | | |
2025 IS PROCLAIMED AS THE
“YEAR OF YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE” IN MAINE
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Statewide Efforts Aim to Celebrate and Engage the Next Generation of Agricultural Leaders
Governor Janet Mills, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) and Maine Department of Education (DOE), has proclaimed 2025 as the “Year of Youth in Agriculture” in Maine.
The Year of Youth in Agriculture will focus on integrating youth perspectives into key activities throughout the year, fostering opportunities for learning, networking, and showcasing their contributions to the future of farming. Statewide efforts aim to celebrate and engage the next generation of agricultural leaders.
| | Proposed Funding Cuts to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) | |
Community Eligibility Provision allows schools, a group of schools, or a district with high numbers of low-income children to serve free breakfast and lunch to all students without collecting school meal applications. This potentially increases participation in school meal programs and decreases school food service administration costs.
Funding for CEP is at risk. According to the Food Research and Action Center, 21,884 children in Maine attend schools that could lose the ability to provide free meals to all students if funding is cut.
Learn more about CEP and its impact
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Resource for Farmers:
Farm Commons has two new resources to assist farmers who have frozen projects with USDA NRCS under EQIP and CSP. These resources will help farmers understand the function of filing an appeal with NAD (National Appeals Division) in order to preserve their right to file/participate in a lawsuit later on.
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Dive deep into the story behind the historic passing of Universal School Meals in Maine and its transformative impact on our communities.
Featuring Jeanne Riley, Windham-Raymond Food Service Director, Anna Korson of Full Plates Full Potential and Ryan Parker of FoodCorps. Learn more about how bipartisan collaboration ensured every child has access to nutritious meals—ending lunchroom shame and strengthening our future.
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MARCH'S HARVEST:
MAINE PROTEIN
This March, we’re celebrating Maine Protein, a powerhouse of nutrition that comes from both our lands and waterways. From plant-based options like soy products (tofu and tempeh), nuts, seeds, and legumes to animal sources like seafood, eggs, meat, and dairy, Maine offers a diverse and delicious array of protein-rich foods.
| | If you have a story or update to contribute to a future edition, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your story or news to our Program Associate Sarah at s.sims@hccame.org and help MEFTI share your story. | | 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 | |
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. To Learn more, visit mainefarmtoinstitution.org
| | | | 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 | | | | |
