Maine
Farm to School News
August 2020
Back to School: New Farm to School/ECE COVID-19 Resource List from the National Farm to School Network
filled with tools to support outdoor education and child nutrition program hybrid meal service
Tools for Encouraging School Meal Sign-Ups
Despite the uncertainty of COVID-19, Maine Schools are working to provide nutritious meals under strict safety guidelines. Follow this link to find two more school meal resources created by Let’s Go! MaineHealth #schoolmeals4me
Teacher to Teacher Back to School Message: from Maine Teachers of the Year Association with Gratitude to Maine Teachers

Child Care and Feeding Young Children during the Pandemic: Exploring the Role of the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program

The Future Reset: Global Food Systems from the Washington Post

2020 Keynote Speech on Equity in Farm to School from this summer's Northeast Farm to School Virtual Institute
Maine Youth Food and Climate Activists Panel

Maine Youth Action Network joined last month's MFSN Leadership Council meeting to explore opportunities for better engaging youth leadership in adult-led networks. Watch the recording and contact MFSN to connect with these youth!
DOE's Virtual Farm to School Cook-off
The Maine Farm to School Cook-off--an annual competition among students and school nutrition staff, featuring Maine grown ingredients organized by the Maine Child Nutrition office--was hosted virtually this year!

Team "Sonday" from RSU 54 (Gina and Caleb, pictured at right), playfully named to showcase the mother and son duo, embraced the challenge and created breakfast and lunch videos to showcase the meals they had planned for the cook-off. Two challenge ingredients included rolled oats from Maine Grains in Skowhegan and ground beef from Common Hill Farm in Jackson.
In the News: FTS Policies & Food Justice
What is Food Justice?
Harvest of the Month Program
August is Maine Cucumber Month!
September is Maine Tomatoes 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
Harvest of the Month Curriculum from Maine Ag in the Classroom
Funding Opportunities

  • Cigna Foundation is looking to partner with school systems and surrounding communities to supplement existing health programming. Deadline September 30

  • Funding is available for six priority areas in fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. Deadlines vary based on program.
Webinars/Virtual Events
Maine School Garden Network - annual meeting & virtual tour on 10/8 of Thomas Grammar School's Common Ground Garden, led by 2020 National Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award recipient Lynne Snow and joined by Richard Hodges from ReTreeUS

Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Just ME for Just Us - virtual presentation "A Just Climate Plan for Maine"
Aug. 28th, 12-1 pm Sign up and learn more here

Gardens, Resiliency, and Place - an interview with school gardener from the Maine Youth Action Network


"Food Systems Friday" Webinar Series from Prescott College - check out their podcast, The Capstone, on just and sustainable food systems

Change for Good Virtual Town Hall - with speakers including the President & CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign and The Education Trust, and grassroots voices
Keep Supporting 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.
Keep Supporting Somali Bantu Farmers!

Maine Grains and SBCA Launch Liberation Farms Cornmeal: 5% of the total proceeds from every purchase will be reinvested into SBCA’s community programs, so be sure to stock up or ask your local market or grocer to stock it. You can buy Liberation Farms Cornmeal online, learn where to buy, and look into bulk orders for your restaurant, bakery, or grocery store at MaineGrains.com.