Stay up to date with opportunities, events, resources, and news from the Farm & Sea to Institution network | | Students learning in the school garden hoophouse. Photo courtesy of Falmouth Public Schools | | |
In This Edition
- Save the Date: Maine Farm and Sea to School Conference
- Welcome Molly Standish!
- Upcoming Webinar: Food Hubs
- 2026 Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Tours
- Culinary Skills for School Meals Training Program Application
- Local Food Switchboard beta site is LIVE
- Call for Farm and Sea to School Stories
- Registration is open for Maine School Garden Day
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Coach Professional Development Program for the Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute
- F2I Jobs, Funding, & Resources Board
- F2I Events Calendar
- Harvest of the Month (HOM)
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July 17, 2026 | The Ecology School, Saco, Maine
The Maine Farm and Sea to School Network, in partnership with statewide farm to school advocates, is proud to host the 7th Maine Farm and Sea to School Conference.
This year’s conference will bring together school nutrition directors, educators, local food producers, and farm to school stakeholders to explore best practices for increasing the use of local foods in school meals, supporting school gardens and hands-on learning, integrating agricultural and food education into the classroom, and building stronger networks to strengthen farm to school partnerships across Maine.
Stay tuned for registration and more details at mainefarmtoschool.org
| Healthy Communities of the Capital Area Welcomes Molly Standish to the Food Systems Team to support Farm to Long-Term-Care | | | | |
Molly Standish is a senior at Colby College, double-majoring in Global Studies and Government. Originally from Minneapolis, she developed a passion for local food systems during an internship at Liberty Farms, an organic vegetable garden in Ghent, New York. That experience led her to become involved with the Colby Organic Farm on campus.
MEFTI is thrilled to welcome Molly to the Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network, supporting research for Farm to Long Term Care.
Funding for this research is generously supported by the Point32 Foundation.
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Upcoming Webinar: Food Hubs in Maine
Behind the Supply Chain Series
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Presented by the Local Food Processing Workgroup, this six-part webinar series takes a deep dive into the supply chain that keeps food moving around the state.
Upcoming Webinars:
Food Hubs in Maine | April 14, 11AM-12:30PM | Register
State & Regional Perspectives on Food System Infrastructure | May 12, 11AM-12:30PM | Register
Missed a recent webinar? Check out the recordings of past webinars from the Behind the Supply Chain series:
| | Join the Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network for a series of F2I tours in 2026 | | Apply for the Culinary Skills for School Meals Training Program | Note: Presque Isle dates are no longer accurate. Please refer to the website for the most up-to-date information. | Local Food Switchboard beta site is now live | | |
The Local Food Switchboard is a food supply chain coordination platform that connects Maine’s food system to buy and sell local foods more easily. It streamlines and verifies procurement data and logistics while providing tailored support. By shifting from competition to coordination, the platform builds reliable market connections and a more equitable, resilient, and relationship-based food system.
These next months will be about learning from our community and fine-tuning our services to meet the needs of users.
| | Call for Farm and Sea to School Stories | | |
We want to hear from you! Share your experiences connecting local food and agriculture with students. Whether it’s a classroom garden, a farm visit, or a favorite local meal on the lunch line, your story can inspire others and highlight the impact of Farm & Sea to School programs across the state.
Enter for a chance to win a gift certificate to any participating Maine Farmer’s Market
| | Registration is open for Maine School Garden Day | |
Join the Maine School Garden Network for Maine School Garden Day 2026 at Thomaston Grammar School! This year’s theme, “Beyond the Bed,” encourages guests to think outside the (garden) box when it comes to engaging students in their school garden learning spaces.
6.5 Contact Hours for Educators
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Are you interested in learning about coaching a school, district, or ECE team for the Maine Farm and Sea to School Institute? Are you interested in developing your coaching skills?
Consider joining CLEE, Greenprint Ethos, and Shelburne Farms’ Institute for Sustainable Schools' national coaching professional development program. They have openings still available for the May Cohort.
| | F2I Jobs, Funding, & Resources Board | | |
JOBS BOARD
FUNDING BOARD
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Newman’s Own Foundation: Food Justice for Kids Prize | Deadline: 4/28/26
- The Prize will award grants up to $100K each, over 2 years, to nonprofits, Tribes, schools, and school districts working to ensure all children can access, learn about, and engage with nutritious, culturally relevant food at school and in communities.
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Russell Libby Agricultural Scholar Awards | Deadline: 4/30/26
- Three $1,500 scholarships are available for:
- Maine high school seniors planning to study sustainable or organic agriculture
- Teachers, schools, or education centers supporting agriculture-related projects in Maine
- Current or past MOFGA Journeyperson Program participants farming in Maine
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Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Project | Deadline: 5/6/26
- $250 or $500 to plan, start, or support a community-action project that helps people, animals or the environment
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Chef Ann Foundation Salad Bars to Schools | Rolling
- Grants K–12 schools the equipment and technical assistance they need to successfully implement a salad bar
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White-Reinhardt Grants | Deadline: 6/12/26
- $1,000 grants to support K–12 agricultural literacy programs. County and state Farm Bureaus can apply to start or expand programs, often in partnership with local schools or organizations
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SEA Maine's Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund | Deadline: 6/30/26
- $1,000,000 is available for targeted investments to qualifying energy efficiency conversions and supply chain adaptations to seafood infrastructure in public facilities
More Funding Opportunities...
WHAT WE'RE READING
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Thank you for being part of Maine’s Farm to Institution community.
For any questions about Maine Farm & Sea to Institution, please contact Healthy Communities of the Capital Area's Food Systems Coordinators
Alida Peterson at a.peterson@hccame.org and Sarah Sims at s.sims@hccame.org
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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.
| | | | Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is supported by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation | | | | Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network is supported by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation | | | | |
