OUR COMMUNITY
In order to make meaningful, lasting changes to Maine's food systems, we must work together. A major goal of the Maine Network of Community Food Councils is to form strong relationships with groups and people who share likeminded visions for Maine's food future. Below is a list of some organizations, projects and networks we work with.
The Maine Food Convergence Project
The New England Food System Planners Partnership
Maine Farm and Sea to Institution
The State of Maine's Ending Hunger by 2030 Initiative
The Maine Food Policy Workgroup
MNCFC has been a network partner in the Maine Food Convergence Project since its inception in 2021. The mission of the Convergence is to create spaces where people working on food, land and climate issues explore collaborative solutions to complex problems. We work to grow community and deepen relationships so that our collective actions are more powerful.
In 2024 MNCFC joined the New England Food System Planners Partnership (NEFSPP), a collaboration amongst seven state-level food system organizations, six-state agricultural, economic and environmental department representatives and Food Solutions New England (FSNE), a regional network that unites the food system community. Together, we are mobilizing our networks to impact local and regional food supply chains and strengthen and grow the New England regional food system.
Food Solutions New England (FSNE) is a regional, six-state network that unites the food system community around a shared set of values - democratic empowerment, racial equity and dignity for all, sustainability, and trust - and strengthens the movement’s ability to achieve New England Food Vision goals. MNCFC has done the FSNE racial equity challenge multiple years, done individual member training cohorts with them and works alongside their communications staff on collective narrative change projects.
The mission of Full Plates Full Potential is to strengthen childhood nutrition programs as critical tools for ending childhood food insecurity in Maine. MNCFC has been proud to support the Full Plates legislative agenda, serve on their community advisory team and work alongside them on shared communications and the Maine Food Convergence.
The Maine Gleaning Network is a resource to the expanding gleaning activities across Maine. MNCFC works alongside them as part of the Maine Food Convervenge project and works to help them support and promote gleaning groups throughout the state.
The Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network (MEFTI) fosters collective power through collaboration and coordination to strengthen Farm to Institution efforts in Maine. MNCFC works with them as part of the Maine Food Convergence Project and serves on the advisory committee for their exciting new Local Food Switchboard Project.
The Governor's Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) has a mandate to use the "Roadmap to End Hunger," created in tandem with mutliple community groups and organizations, including ours, to end hunger in the State of Maine permanently. MNCFC is supporting this effort by serving on the advisory team and working with others to change the narrative around hunger and poverty in Maine and beyond.
The Maine Food Policy Work Group originated in 2019 with Coastal Enterprises, Inc.,
Maine Farm To School & Institution Networks and Maine’s Network of Community Food
Councils and has since grown to include many other individuals and groups. The Work Group identifies and tracks food bills moving through the Maine Legislature.
Meetings include educational sharing by advocates from groups who are working
on key initiatives. This helps enlighten and demystify the legislative process. This helps
citizens navigate the process so they can add their views and voices as food policy
gets created.
