Local Foods News from

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area

Fall 2014

In This Issue

Maine Harvest Lunch

Maine Ag in the Classroom

Unique Partnership

Community Food Councils

Gardiner Garden Soiree

Gardiner Co-op

RSU 38 Increases Cold Storage

Summer Cooking Camp

Local Foods Processing Training

What's Renee Reading?

Upcoming Events

Maine Farm to School Conference

November 1, 2014 8:30AM-4:00PM

Ellsworth Elementary/Middle School

Don't miss this great opportunity for networking and information sharing with tracks for school food service, agricultural education, school gardens, and other topics.

FMI & Registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-maine-farm-to-school-conference-tickets-12930825447

Maine Network of Community Food Councils Summit

November 14, 2014

Maple Hill Farm, Hallowell

Come together with other individuals working at the local level to improve Maine's local food system. The Summit will highlight climate's role in the food system.

FMI & Registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-maine-community-food-council-summit-tickets-13396706911

National Farm to School Month

October 2014

Visit www.farmtoschoolmonth.org for resources and ideas.

Mainstreaming Local Food to Institutions

October 14, 2014 8:30AM-6:00PM

Colby College, Waterville

A roundtable discussion and workshops about moving more local food into Maine campuses, hospitals, and other institutions.

FMI & Registration:

http://www.mainefarmlandtrust.org/mainstreaming-local-food-to-institution/

Climate Adaptation & Sustainability (CLAS) Conference

October 23, 2014

University of Maine, Orono

FMI & Registration:

http://climatechange.umaine.edu/maine_clas_conference/

Food Day

October 24, 2014

Visit www.foodday.org to learn more.

Capital Area Food Council

October 30, 2014 5:30-7:00PM

Monthly meeting. Location TBD

FMI: Karen Stevenson at capitalareafood@gmail.com

SNAP-Ed Cooking Matters at the Store Tours

Participate in a free guided grocery store tour to learn how to shop healthily on a budget. Designed for SNAP eligible individuals and families. Participants receive a $10 Hannaford gift card to pay for healthy food selected that day.

Upcoming Tours:

Cony Circle Hannaford, Augusta

Tuesday afternoons 2:00-4:00

Oct 14th & 28th
Nov 11th & 25th
Dec 9th & 23rd

Tuesday evenings 6:00-8:00

Oct 7th & 21st
Nov 4th & 18th

Gardiner Hannaford:

Tuesday afternoons 2:00-4:00

Oct 7th
Nov 4th
Dec 2nd

Winthrop Hannaford:

Tuesday afternoons 2:00-4:00

Oct 21st
Nov 28th
Dec 16th

FMI & Registration: Karen Tucker at 207.588.5012 or ktucker@mcd.org

Local Farmers' Markets

Kennebec County

Augusta

Farmers' Market at Mill Park

1 North Water Street, the old Edwards Mill site

May-November

Tuesdays 2-6pm

December-April

Tuesdays 12:30-2:00pm

EBT, WIC, Credit & Debit Accepted

www.farmersmarketmillpark.org

Augusta Farmers' Market

Turnpike Mall, Western Ave/Whitten Road

May-October

Wednesdays and Saturdays

10:00am-1:00pm

Viles Arboretum Farmers' Market

153 Hospital Street

May-November

Fridays 2:00-5:30pm

Belgrade

Belgrade Lakes Farmers' Market

Main Street, Belgrade Lakes Village

May-October

Sundays 8:00am-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-6:00pm

www.belgradelakesfarmersmarket.org

East Vassalboro

East Vassalboro Farmers' Market

357 Main Street, Vassalboro Grange

Fridays 3:00-5:30pm

Gardiner

Gardiners Farmers' Market

Route 201 Brunswick Avenue, On the Common

May-October

Wednesdays 3-6pm

EBT & WIC Accepted

Hallowell

Hallowell Market Day

Water Street (Route 201) at the foot of Winthrop Street

May-October

Tuesdays 4:00pm-8:00pm

Oakland

Oakland Community Farmers' Market

895 Kennedy Memorial Drive

Fridays 2:00-6:00pm

Waterville

Downtown Waterville Farmers' Market

Appleton Street & Maine Street at the Concourse

April-November

Thursdays 2-6PM

Wayne

Wayne Farmers' Market

Main Street, Village Center Green next to Post Office

May-September

Saturdays 9:00am-12:00pm (noon)

EBT Accepted

Winthrop

Winthrop Farmers' Market

Main Street

May-September

Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm

Other Options:

Crown o' Maine Organic Cooperative, for worksites looking to create their own mini farmers' market, buying clubs may be just what you need. To learn more visit www.crownofmainecoop.com

KLFI Online Marketplace, an online ordering system that allows shoppers to purchase a large variety of foods from Maine producers, in cooperation with the Gardiner Farmers' Market, Crown O' Maine Organic Cooperative, and local vendors. To get a username and password, please call 207.712.9734 or email klfi@gardinerfarmersmarket.org. To learn more visit www.klfi.buyingclubsoftware.org or klfi.org.

Maranacook Area Farmers' Market, an online farmers' market that allows buyers to place orders online from local growers. Visit http://harvesttomarket.com/farmers-market/Maranacook-Area-Farmers-Market

Somerset County

Canaan

Canaan Farmers' Market

Route 2, downtown Canaan in restaurant parking lot (formerly known as Purple Cow)

May-October

Saturdays 10am-2pm

canaanmefarmersmarket.webs.com/

Fairfield

Fairfield Farmers' Market

Main Street (Route 201) Nazarene Church parking lot

June-October

Wednesdays 2:00-6:00pm & Saturdays 9:30am-1:30pm

WIC Accepted

Pittsfield

Pittsfield Farmers' Market

Corner of Hathorn Park at Park Street & Forest Street, across from the Church of the Nazarene

May-October

Mondays & Thursdays 2:00-6:00pm

Senior Farm Share & WIC Accepted

www.pittsfieldfarmersmarket.org

Skowhegan

Skowhegan Farmers' Market

Somerset Grist Mill

May-October

Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm

June-October

Wednesdays 3:00pm-6:00pm

Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm

November-April

1st & 3rd Saturdays 10:00am-1:00pm

EBT, WIC, Debit & Credit Accepted

www.skowheganfarmersmarket.com

Links to Useful Resources

National Farm to School Network
F2SN enables every child to have access to nutritious food while simultaneously benefiting communities and local farmers.
FMI & Resources: farmtoschool.org

Maine Ag in the Classroom
MAITC provides information about agricultural concepts to teachers, students, and interested citizens.
FMI & Resources:
www.agclassroom.org/me

Maine School Garden Network

MSGN promotes and supports educational gardens for youth and encourages school programs that teach healthy eating and environmental stewardship.

FMI & Resources: www.msgn.org

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for a Livable Future Food Policy Networks

Food policy council database and resources.

FMI & Resources:

http://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-a-livable-future/projects/FPN/

Join Our List

Fall 2014

You are receiving this newsletter because you have been identified as a leader in your school or community around local foods efforts.

I welcome any and all feedback on this newsletter's format and content and encourage others to submit local foods articles, news, resources, and success stories that may be of interest or useful to others.

Please forward this newsletter to others as appropriate and encourage them to subscribe. You may unsubscribe at any time you feel this newsletter is not germane to your work or interests.

Again, welcome. I hope you enjoy!

Renee Page,
HCCA Local Foods Projects & Roles:

Central District Maine Farm to School Network Representative

National Farm to School Network, State Co-Lead

FoodCorps Service Site Supervisor

USDA Farm to School Grantee

Capital Area Food Council, Convener & Sponsor

Winthrop Food & Ag Group, Sponsor

Maine Network of Community Food Councils, Member

SNAP-Ed Provider

Local Schools Celebrate Maine Harvest Lunch

Each Fall Schools Across Maine Celebrate the Harvest

FoodCorps Service Member Caroline Moore leads a taste testing activity during Maine Harvest Lunch at Gardiner Regional Middle School where they experienced their highest lunch participation!

Schools across the capital area celebrated Maine Harvest Lunch in a variety of ways. The event that began in 2003 is a way for Maine schools to draw attention to local foods that are being incorporated into school meals to improve nutrition and support the local economy. Maine Harvest Lunch started as a single day when schools would feature a meal sourced entirely, or as much as possible, from local farms. It has since grown to a weeklong celebration, this year culminating in Maine School Garden Open House Day on September 27th. The intent of Maine Harvest Lunch is to encourage schools to make long-lasting connections with local farmers and other community resources to continue to incorporate local foods into school meals beyond the fall celebration.

Local farmers Kevin Leavitt (Farmer Kev's Organic), Trent Emery (Emery Farm), and Michael Dennett (Crescent Run Farm) participate in a discussion panel with Maranacook Community High School Students.

Local farmers Trent Emery (Emery Farm), Kevin Leavitt (Farmer Kev's Organic), and Michael Dennett (Crescent Run Farm) enjoy Maine Harvest Lunch at Maranacook Community High School.

What's on the Menu

HCCA Receives Maine Ag in the Classroom Grant to Support FoodCorps Efforts

HCCA Welcomes Incoming FoodCorps Service Member Caroline Moore & Expands Reach to Maranacook Schools

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area supports FoodCorps implementation in Augusta and Gardiner Schools, and this year expands the reach to Maranacook Schools. Many of you have come to know Laura Budde, Lily Joslin, and Andrea Snow as they have served in your schools over the past three years to:

Build and Tend School Gardens
Teach Agricultural Based Nutrition Education
Help Source Fresh Local Foods for School Meals

Laura Budde, Lily Joslin, Andrea Snow

Laura, Lily, and Andrea are all still involved with FoodCorps. Laura is now the FoodCorps Northeast Regional Coordinator, Lily is FoodCorps Fellow for the state of Maine, and Andrea is FoodCorps Fellow for the state of Hawaii.

This year, HCCA welcomes Caroline Moore to the FoodCorps Service Member position.

Caroline Moore

After graduating from Bowdoin College where she studied Biology and Education, Caroline was looking to combine her interests in education and public health, specifically public

health initiatives centered around physical activity and nutrition. She is particularly excited to work with students to help them

understand the many connections among food, health, and community in an engaging, hands-on way. Look for her wearing her purple FoodCorps shirt in Augusta, MSAD 11, and RSU 38 schools this year!

HCCA must provide a program match to FoodCorps and provide materials and supplies for FoodCorps related projects and must fundraise to do so. This year HCCA is excited to receive a grant from Maine Ag in the Classroom to support some FoodCorps needs. Maine Ag in the Classroom grants are fully funded from Maine Ag license plate fees, so a big thank you to all you Maine Ag license plate holders!

If you are interested in supporting FoodCorps efforts in Augusta, Gardiner, and Maranacook area schools through material or cash donations, or by volunteering at a site, please contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org.

Local Schools Partner with Kennebec's Restorative Community Harvest

HCCA participates in pilot project with support from USDA Farm to School Grant

Fresh tomatoes and pumpkins from the Kennebec Restorative Community Harvest

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area is partnering with area schools, the Kennebec Sheriff's Office Restorative Community Harvest, and the Cohen Community Center on a pilot project to get fresh, donated produce into school cafeterias. Donations from the Kennebec Restorative Community Harvest are delivered directly to schools whole and unprocessed or are directed to the Cohen Community Center in Hallowell where Chris Teague and Allison Leavitt's team process them further for a nominal fee. So far this fall 270 pounds of fresh tomatoes, 130 pounds of fresh pumpkins, and 254 pounds of processed frozen tomatoes have been donated to MSAD 11, RSU 2, and RSU 38 schools.

Frozen processed tomatoes ready for delivery to area schools.

Community Food Councils

Capital Area Food Council is Growing

The Capital Area Food Council, along with several other emerging and established food councils across Maine, participated in a Shared Gifting process hosted by the Maine Network of Community Food Councils that resulted in funding to support Capital Area Food Council (CAFC) efforts through February 2015. This support allows CAFC to stipend a Coordinator, Karen Stevenson, to facilitate and lead group process as well as continue to reach out and engage the community. Look forward to CAFC hosted events in the coming months, a new Facebook page, and other news from CAFC. The Capital Area Food Council meets monthly; save the date for the next meeting on October 30th from 5:30-7:00PM. If you you would like to be involved and receive communications from CAFC, contact Karen at capitalareafood@gmail.com. Find CAFC on Facebook.

Capital Area Food Council Mission: To affect positive change in the local food system.

Capital Area Food Council Vision: A food system that nurtures our bodies, our community, the local economy, and the earth.

Community Food Councils work to influence the local food system and can prioritize a range of activities from policy development to food security issues to specific food related projects. Once a need is identified, the group works collectively to address it. If you are interested in joining the Capital Area Food Council or forming a community food council in your area, please contact Karen Stevenson at capitalareafood@gmail.com.

See information in Upcoming Events section on the Maine Network of Community Food Councils Summit on November 14th at Maple Hill Farm.

Garden Soiree at Gardiner Area High School a Big Success

FoodCorps and other local foods partners come together to celebrate the new fruit tree orchard and future garden site.

FoodCorps Service Member Andrea Snow (purple) leading a gardening activity.

On May 16th several students, staff, and community members came together to celebrate the first fruit tree orchard at Gardiner Area High School. This Educational Orchard grew from an opportunity sought by FoodCorps Service Member Andrea Snow from ReTreeUS. ReTreeUs plants orchards in schools and provides educational programs that empower people to be healthy environmental stewards. The soiree took place in the Tiger's Den and was held in conjunction with the student art show. This successful fundraising event featured fresh local foods donated by Oaklands Farm, Weston's Meat, and Wholesome Holmstead and prepared by Chef Mike Flynn.

Entertainment provided by Ian Pillsbury

Click on the photo to watch a short video of the orchard planting.

The event also served as a fundraiser to help support FoodCorps efforts in local schools. If you are interested in supporting FoodCorps efforts in Augusta, Gardiner, and Maranacook Area schools through material or cash donations, or by volunteering at a site, please contact Renee Page at rpage@mcd.org.

Gardiner Food Co-op & Community Cafe Continues to Grow

The Gardiner Food Co-op & Caf� will be a vibrant community-oriented grocery store and caf� space, open 7 days a week and offering wholesome foods, products, and services to an expected customer base of 54,000 people coming from a 12-mile radius around Gardiner.

From seed to fruition, the Cooperative model is rooted in democracy, shared ownership, and concern for community and the Gardiner Food Co-op is no different. An integral part of the mission of the Co-op is to continually evolve to meet the needs of the community either directly or through collaborations with other businesses and organizations.

That means making sure farmers and producers are getting fair prices, employees are making a livable wage, AND the food in the store is affordable. Expect to see an enormous bulk section-- everything from nuts, flours, and rice to soap, detergent, and shampoo.

The Co-op recently shared great news of their partnership with

Sunrise Natural Foods, the local health food shop that was located in Gardiner. Karen Benner, co-owner of Sunrise, will be bringing all her equipment and expertise to the Co-op as the manager of the vitamin and supplement department-something the co-op wasn't planning on having. This is a fabulous addition and allows Karen to continue doing what she does best and adds to the Co-op's financial portfolio.

What makes a co-op unique? Customers can become member-owners by investing in a $100 share and member-owners have the power to vote, the power to serve on the board and other committees, and benefits such as patronage dividends, special discounts, and special ordering privileges. Member-ownership is a pillar of the Co-op model and provides assurance that the mission of creating positive community development will be upheld by all involved stakeholders. Currently the Co-op has more than 150 member-owners and this number continues to grow each week.

Help make this storefront a reality. Become a member-owner today. Visit gardinerfood.coop for all the details or send an e-mail to gardinerfoodcoop@gmail.com.

-submitted by Sarah Miller

RSU 38 Maranacook Area Schools Increases Cold Storage Space with Support from USDA Farm to School Grant

New Walk-In Cooler & Freezer for Maranacook Schools

Maranacook Middle School Before and After
The school only had a two-door reach in cooler previously (left), now they have added a walk-in cooler (right).

Ask any school nutrition director and s/he will tell you one of the biggest barriers to increased purchasing of fresh, local foods is lack of cold storage. Thanks to support from HCCA's USDA Farm to School grant, RSU 38 Maranacook Area Schools can enjoy more cold storage space. The middle school has increased its refrigeration capacity by 210 square feet and the high school, its freezer capacity by 378 square feet. RSU 38's Nutrition Director, Jeff Bridges, is already thinking of ways to use their new space, focusing primarily on processing efforts to take advantage of harvest time bounty by freezing tomatoes and potatoes and taking advantage of more of the fresh school garden and greenhouse offerings as well as from local farms.

RSU 38 School Nutrition Director Jeff Bridges oversees walk-in installation.

SNAP-Ed and FoodCorps at HCCA Partner on Summer Cooking Camp

2nd Annual Summer Cooking Camp at River View Community School

FoodCorps Service Member Andrea Snow leads summer cooking camp activity

On July 28-30, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area's SNAP-Ed program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education aka Food Stamp Education), FoodCorps, and River View Community School in Gardiner hosted the second annual Cooking Camp for Kids grades 4-6. This year, 15 students entered Cooking Camp and it was a definite success. Throughout the three days, kids learned about USDA's MyPlate and the food groups, the path from farm to plate, cooking healthily and efficiently, and became confident in trying new, whole foods from each food group. The camp ended with a fun cook off that included parents who were welcome to try the finished products developed by the kids. Andrea Snow, FoodCorps Service Member, and SNAP-Ed Coordinator Jacqueline Stevens, MS, RD, LD worked together to develop and launch this fun day camp!

-submitted by Jacqueline Stevens

Local Foods Processing Training for Area Schools

USDA Farm to School grant supports training

RSU 38's Jeff Bridges & MSAD 11's Mike Flynn participate in a school food service local foods processing training led by Blair Currier.

Healthy Acadia, a local Healthy Maine Partnership, sponsored a local foods processing training led by Blair Currier, formerly of Portland Public Schools, and currently the School Nutrition Director for Yarmouth Schools. HCCA local service area School Nutrition Directors Jeff Bridges (RSU 38) and Mike Flynn (MSAD 11) attended the training with support from HCCA's USDA Farm to School grant. Participants learned about local food procurement strategies, the benefits of summer processing to preserve food for the school year, and participated in a hands-on knife skills demonstration.

What's Renee
Reading?

Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, & Smart Cookin' Mamas

Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture by Mark Winne

Food Rebels, Guerrilla Gardeners, & Smart Cookin' Mamas: Fighting Back in an Age of Industrial Agriculture

This look at the United States food system provides insight into how corporate practices and government policies affect what consumers eat every day. Mark Winne, arguably the patriarch of the local food council movement, makes us laugh as he chronicles his own experiences and makes us stop to think about how our individual choices can make a difference as he writes about his own journey and tells stories of others who are affecting change. Readers will learn how advocates and grass roots efforts across the country are working to make healthier food accessible by all. Visit Mark's website to buy the book and learn more. www.markwinne.com

I hope you enjoyed learning more about local foods happenings in southern Kennebec County. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more or becoming involved.

In Health,

Renee Page,
Assistant Director, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area

Central District Maine Farm to School Network Representative

National Farm to School Network, State Co-Lead

FoodCorps Service Site Supervisor

USDA Farm to School Grantee

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA) is a coalition of local people who work locally to improve the health and quality of life in our communities. HCCA hosts the Central District Maine Farm to School Network Representative and a FoodCorps Service Member. HCCA is a USDA Farm to School, Maine Ag in the Classroom, and Maine Network of Community Food Councils grantee.

HCCA is one of 27 local Healthy Maine Partnerships and receives funds from the Fund for a Healthy Maine.

HCCA's mission is to convene people, organizations, and communities to collaborate on quality of life and public health issues.

HCCA serves the southern Kennebec County towns of Augusta, Chelsea, Farmingdale, Fayette, Gardiner, Hallowell, Litchfield, Manchester, Monmouth, Mount Vernon, Pittston, Randolph, Readfield, Vienna, West Gardiner, Wayne, Windsor, Winthrop, and Richmond in Sagadahoc County.