Partnership-driven initiative will support composting, food access programs, emergency preparedness, and long-term community resilience
Press release submitted by Amy Kenney, Director of Communications, City of Ellsworth
akenney@ellsworthmaine.gov
July 8, 2026
Partnership-driven initiative will support composting, food access programs, emergency preparedness, and long-term community resilience
ELLSWORTH, Maine – The City of Ellsworth has been awarded $74,000 through Maine's Community Action Grant program to support a series of projects focused on waste reduction, local food access, emergency preparedness, and public health outreach. The grant is funded through Maine's Community Resilience Partnership and the state's climate action plan, Maine Won't Wait.
The funding will support several initiatives designed to strengthen community resilience while addressing priorities identified by residents and community partners. The effort reflects a growing commitment across the region to work collaboratively on practical solutions that benefit both people and the environment.
"This grant is an investment in Ellsworth's future," said Twila Fisher, Director of Economic Development for the City of Ellsworth. "It allows us to take meaningful steps to strengthen our community, from reducing waste and expanding access to local food, to preparing for the impacts of extreme weather. Just as important, it brings together strong local and regional partners to do this work collaboratively."
The successful grant application was made possible through a partnership among the City of Ellsworth, Healthy Acadia, the Hancock County Planning Commission, Green Ellsworth, Chickadee Composting, and the Ellsworth School Department. Together, these organizations developed a shared vision for strengthening local food systems, reducing waste, improving emergency preparedness, and building long-term community resilience.
One of the first projects residents will see is the launch of a free compost drop-off pilot program at the Ellsworth Transfer Station. Scheduled to begin later this summer, the pilot will provide residents with a convenient way to divert food scraps from the waste stream while helping the City evaluate options for a sustainable, long-term composting program.
"Food waste makes up a significant portion of what ends up in our waste stream," Fisher said. "This pilot project gives residents an easy opportunity to reduce waste while helping the City explore what a long-term composting program could look like for our community."
"This grant reflects what can happen when organizations come together around a shared commitment to community well-being," said Elsie Flemings, Executive Director of Healthy Acadia. "By combining our strengths, we're expanding access to healthy food, supporting our neighbors during extreme weather, and building systems that will make our communities healthier and more resilient for years to come."
In addition to composting, grant-funded initiatives will include:
Expansion of local food access through gathering and food distribution efforts that connect surplus farm produce with organizations addressing food insecurity.
Planning for a regional food hub and advancement of local food policies that strengthen the local food system.
Enhanced warming, cooling, and emergency shelter services during periods of extreme weather, along with development of formal response plans.
Expanded public health outreach and climate-related emergency communications to ensure residents have timely access to important information and resources.
A countywide solid waste convening that will bring municipalities and partners together to share findings, explore regional solutions, and collaborate on waste reduction strategies.
The projects are designed to deliver both immediate and long-term benefits. Some initiatives will provide direct services to residents within the next year, while others will lay the groundwork for future policies, partnerships, and systems that improve community resilience for years to come.
Funding for the grant began July 1, 2026, and projects will be implemented over the following year. Additional information about the compost pilot program, including accepted materials and launch details, will be shared later this summer.
About the City of Ellsworth
The City of Ellsworth is the economic, cultural, and service center of Hancock County and is committed to enhancing quality of life through responsible stewardship, innovation, sustainability, and strong community partnerships. As The Friendly City, Ellsworth continues to invest in initiatives that support a vibrant, resilient future for residents, businesses, and visitors.
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