FOOD COUNCILS
Community Food Councils work within their own communities on the issues that matter to them most. We also all work together as a network to support each other's work through collaboration, coordination and resource sharing. To get involved with, or learn how you might start a council in your region, email us at: mainefoodcouncils@gmail.com.
Food AND Medicine's Food Council
Greater Bangor, Maine
Our mission: Food AND Medicine (FAM) is a grassroots nonprofit whose mission is to organize, educate, and empower workers and our communities in the fight for economic and social justice.
As part of our food justice work, FAM organizes the Bangor Area Food Council (BAFC). FAM’s BAFC initiative provides a place where a diverse group of stakeholders can share resources, and work on FAM programs. BAFC members include college students, MOFGA members, local food entrepreneurs, the UMaine directors of Auxiliary and Dining Services, UMaine Office of Sustainability, representatives from Cooperative Extension, Husson University faculty, AmeriCorps volunteers, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Healthy Maine Partnership staff, and Bangor and Orono City councilors.
Community Food Matters
Norway, Maine
Projects: The Foothills Food Festival happens annually the second Saturday of August each year to highlight and celebrate farmers and food. Edible Main Street demonstrates how to grow food right in town. The Food Forest at Alan Day Community Garden is a long term project based on Permaculture Design principles. All in an effort to transition the Western Foothills of Maine to be more resilient in the face of climate change and resource depletion.
Cumberland County Food Security Council
Portland, Maine
Everyone is Welcome! Food is restricted, most often by limited income stemming from economic and other forms of injustice. The Cumberland County Food Security Council's Mission is to advocate, educate and take action toward increasing food access for food-insecure people in Cumberland County. We do this by working together to initiate, strategize, and innovate solutions to our community's hunger problem. Join us!
Good Food Council
Lewiston-Auburn, Maine
Our mission: Through education, advocacy, and community-based decision-making we work to shape a food system where our entire community of Lewiston-Auburn has access to good food.
How We Make Change:
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Fostering Collaboration within and between Sectors
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Identifying and working to Solve Gaps in the food system
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Providing Non-partisan Research and Educational Resources in matters of Public Policy
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Raising Awareness of and Support for Local Programs and Businesses
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Responding to emerging Community Needs and Opportunities
Greater Franklin Food Council
Franklin County, Maine
The Greater Franklin Food Council envisions a local food system that nourishes and educates all, provides a livelihood for farmers and food producers, and stewards the local and global environment.
Our mission: To foster a robust food system in Western Maine by bringing people together to: ensure access to nutritious food, promote local farmers, and advocate for food-related programs and policies that strengthen our communities.
Local Food Connection
Bethel, Maine
Our mission: The Local Food Connection is an organization working to build and sustain a movement in the greater Bethel, ME region that encourages all community members to grow, prepare, serve, purchase and consume local foods. There are many ways to get involved in the Local Food Connections work. We are here to support you in your effort to strengthen our local food system!
Merrymeeting Food Council
Brunswick, Maine
WHO WE ARE We are a collaborative network of farms, fisheries, businesses, nonprofits, government, and individuals working together to advance the food system in the 14 towns surrounding Merrymeeting Bay.
MISSION The Merrymeeting Food Council seeks to advance a thriving, resilient, and equitable food system that supports the health and natural resources of our communities.
VISION We envision a greater portion of the area’s food supply to be raised, caught, processed and consumed locally. This food system will protect and enhance natural resources, and create robust, meaningful economic and civic opportunities for the residents and visitors of the greater Merrymeeting Bay area.
TOWNS SERVED Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Woolwich
Washington County Food Council
Washington County, Maine
Washington County's Food Council is comprised of Healthy Acadia's Food For All Projects. Healthy Acadia's Healthy Food for All projects address food insecurity and improve nutrition across Hancock and Washington Counties. We are committed to ensuring that all people have access to nutritious, affordable food, making the healthy choice the easy choice. The Washington County Food Council envisions a thriving, inclusive and just regional food system that enhances the health of people, diverse communities, our natural environment, and the local agricultural and fisheries economy.
Knox County Food Council
Knox County, Maine
Knox County Food Council is a community-based coalition that formed in 2019 to promote a more resilient food system in Knox County, Maine. The Council is comprised of community members and representatives from various businesses and non-profits, including the Knox County Gleaners and Midcoast Farmers Alliance. Virtual meetings for the public are held via Zoom from 5:00 to 6:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month. FMI visit https://www.aldermere.org/programs/outreach/kcfc/
Formed in 2011, our network is composed of local food councils throughout the state that are tackling a variety of issues in our regional food systems. Local councils range in size, makeup and mission, but are united by a shared desire to make Maine’s food systems better for everyone. Some local council activities include:
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Food systems education
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gleaning and food recovery
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cooking workshops
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supporting local farmers
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creating food charters
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feeding their communities
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advocating for food sovereignty
The Maine Network of Community Food Councils exists to provide a community of practice for all local councils and allies. Our network aims to connect our members with other groups doing good food systems work around the state, to share information and help members stay up-to-date on happenings in our food system, to help promote the work councils are doing, and to provide a space for councils to discuss successes, challenges and needs. This includes:
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sharing funding
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monthly network meetings
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annual summits (currently on hold due to Covid)
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social media and website sharing
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professional development and education
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ongoing updates and communication