Healthy Acadia

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Downeast Food Systems Partnership

Tracey Carlson

The Downeast Food System Partnership (DFSP) is a two-year program created by GrowSmart Maine, Healthy Acadia, and Sunrise County Economic Council in collaboration with the Hancock County Planning Commission to improve food production and distribution across Washington and Hancock Counties. DFSP is a new initiative that unites various food system participants across Downeast Maine to agree on important food priorities for our region, create effective project ideas based on those priorities, and obtain funding and resources to carry them out.

Food systems are closely connected to the economic growth and stability of our rural communities. With a diminishing number of farmers, there are consequently fewer processors and value-added companies, which ultimately leads to weaker supply chains and less effective local distribution systems. This situation makes it increasingly difficult for the farmers who remain in the area, while also negatively affecting local communities through lost tax revenue, limited access to fresh and healthy food options, a reduction in available jobs, and a general decline in cultural identity.

Purpose

The Partnership creates a space for setting common goals and plans, reaching out to farmers, working with various groups inside and outside the area, and gaining extra resources to support projects that build a more inclusive and connected food system in Maine's DownEast region. It unites a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, processors, distributors, local communities, institutions that buy food, organizations serving those in need, and businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers' markets that want to sell local food.

Strategy

  1. Mobilize and convene the current and potential stakeholders in the DownEast Food System;

  2. Identify existing resources and assets, as well as shared needs and aspirations of the stakeholders;

  3. Identify joint actions for growing an expanded, innovative, and more integrated regional food system;

  4. Inform the development of a plan for the sustainable growth of the regional food system;

  5. Develop partnerships with policy makers, technical assistance providers, financing and grant makers that can support the implementation of the joint actions identified.

Interested in getting involved? The Partnership will host a Kick-Off event on April 11, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ellsworth.

Please take the survey to assist us in developing the initiative’s priorities.

To learn more visit https://www.downeastfoodpartners.org/.

The Downeast Food Systems Partnership is managed by GrowSmart Maine in collaboration with Healthy Acadia and Sunrise County Economic Council. It is funded by USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and American Farmland Trust. For questions or more information, contact: