Good Shepherd Food-Bank Distributes 1 Million Pounds of Local Foods to Feed Maine’s Hungry
Mainers Feeding Mainers, Good Shepherd Food-Bank’s local foods program, has provided approximately one million pounds of locally-sourced products for Mainers struggling with hunger since its launch in 2010.
The goal of Mainers Feeding Mainers is to foster reliable local food channels to help feed Maine’s hungry, while supporting Maine’s local food growers and producers. The Food-Bank currently partners with 20 local food producers, including Fields of Green, Friends of Aroostook, Jordan Farm, Spiller Farm, Cozy Harbor Seafood, Nova Seafood, and Pineland Farm.
Through Mainers Feeding Mainers, the Food-Bank purchases Maine-produced food, including potatoes, squash, tomatoes, carrots, strawberries, apples, and blueberries; and high-protein fish, cheese and meat. Many farms also donate surplus products to supplement what the Food-Bank purchases. These products are made available to the Food-Bank’s partner agencies, free of charge, at its three distribution centers in Auburn, Portland, and Brewer.
Many farms throughout the state are delivering their products – purchased by the Food-Bank – directly to local hunger relief agencies for distribution to Mainers in need. The Food-Bank’s Food Mobile has also been on the road throughout the summer, delivering local foods from Maine farms to partner agencies and low-income neighborhoods across the state.
“We think it is important to raise awareness about the healthy benefits of local, seasonal food and receiving these items from Mainers Feeding Mainers goes a long way toward meeting that goal,” said Abigail Perry, Executive Director of the Augusta Food Bank, a Good Shepherd Food-Bank partner agency.
In the coming years, Good Shepherd Food-Bank plans to distribute one million pounds of local foods annually to its 600 partner agencies throughout the state.
Mainers Feeding Mainers is made possible by the John T. Gorman Foundation, Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, Florence V. Burden Foundation, settlement funds from the Maine Attorney General’s Office, and other sponsors.
For statistics on poverty and hunger, media inquiries, photos, or interview requests, please contact Clara McConnell at (207) 782-3554 or cmcconnell@gsfb.org.
About Good Shepherd Food-Bank
The largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food-Bank provides for those at risk of hunger by soliciting and distributing surplus food to more than 600 partner agencies. Since 1981, the Food-Bank has partnered with individuals, businesses and farmers to alleviate hunger and build community relationships. In 2010 the Food-Bank distributed 12 million pounds of food to families and individuals throughout Maine. Web site: www.gsfb.org. Phone: (207) 782-3554. Facebook: www.facebook.com/feedingmaine Twitter: www.twitter.com/feedingmaine
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