Fresh Fruits, Vegetables, Seafood and Dairy Products are Feeding Maine’s Hungry
Maine Farm, Dairy and Seafood Initiative emphasizes the importance of local, fresh food for those in need
Auburn, ME – Good Shepherd Food-Bank launched the Maine Farm, Dairy, and Seafood Initiative in April in an effort to bring more nutritious, Maine grown foods to the more than 175,000 individuals suffering from hunger in the state. To date, more than 70,000 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and dairy products have been distributed throughout the state to feed those that are hungry.
Fifteen partners are now involved in the Maine Farm, Dairy and Seafood Initiative, up from twelve when the program began. They are Aldermere Farms, Bell Farms, Chipman Farm, Cooper Farms, Cozy Harbor Seafood, Cultivating Community, Jordan Farms, Mayberry Farm, Native Maine Produce, Nova Seafood, Pineland Farms, Spiller Farm, Turning Wheel Farm, and farmers Sam Hawes and Mark Raven.
Currently our partners are providing fresh corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, potatoes, carrots, spinach, onions, cheese and fish to the Food-Bank for distribution throughout the state. The amount and variety of food is expected to increase throughout the growing season. Funding for the Maine Farm, Dairy and Seafood Initiative is provided, in part, by a grant from the JTG Foundation.
Good Shepherd Food-Bank provides meals to more than 36,000 individuals each week through a network of more than 600 partner agencies throughout Maine. Partner agencies include soup kitchens, shelters, after school programs, food pantries, day care centers, senior centers, and youth programs.
