Cumberland County Food Security Council

TO ASSIST SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED PRODUCERS AND YOUTH WITH A NETWORK OFTRAINING PARTNERS THAT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCEWITH THE SKILLS AND TOOLS TO MAKE GOOD FARM BUSINESS DECISIONS ANDENHANCE ENTERPRISE SUSTAINABILITY BY PARTICIPATING IN COOPERATIVEENTITIES IN THE LOCAL MEAT VALUE CHAIN.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY FOOD SECURITY COUNCIL'S (CCFSC) USDA COMMUNITY FOODPROJECT IS ENTITLED MAINE MEAT AND JUSTICE ON THE TABLE. THE PROPOSED FOUR-YEAR PROJECT BEGINS INSEPTEMBER, 2021. THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO TRANSFORM MAINE'S FOOD SYSTEM IN WAYS THAT BUILD FOODSECURITY TOWARD MAINE'S STATED GOAL OF ENDING HUNGER BY 2030.THE STATE OF MAINE SEES THE FIRST LIGHT IN THE NATION AND IS ON THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATIVE FOOD SYSTEMWORK. THE PANDEMIC DISRUPTED OUR FOOD SYSTEM REVEALING FLAWS AND OPPORTUNITIES. IN THAT CONTEXT, CCFSCIS IMPLEMENTING AN ENTERPRISE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT TO CONNECT LOCAL PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS, BUILDCOMMUNITY AND TRANSFORM OUR FOOD SYSTEM. SPECIFIC GOALS INCLUDE:1) INCREASE LOW INCOME CONSUMER'S ACCESS TO LOCALLY PRODUCED, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PROTEINS2) CONNECT FARMERS, LOCAL CUSTOMERS, INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP MUTUALLYBENEFICIAL STRATEGIES TOWARD FOOD SOVEREIGNTY3) DEVELOP A FOOD JUSTICE NETWORK LED BY COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS OF COLORTHIS PROJECT IS DRIVEN BY THE EXPRESSED NEEDS OF AND REPRESENTS DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS AMONG LOW INCOMECONSUMERS, MAINE FARMERS AND STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN MAINE'S FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN. PROJECT PARTNERS INCLUDE:MINORITY FARMERS, INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, PUBLIC AND HIGHER EDUCATION, GOVERNMENTAGENCIES AND REPRESENTATIVES, AND OTHER MISSION DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS, AND FUNDERS

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM