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Augusta: The Maine
Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) and the Maine
Department of Education (DOE) join thousands of schools, farms, communities,
and organizations across the country in celebrating National Farm to School
Month. Maine is home to more than 8000 farmers and 185,000 students, making the
partnership between schools and farmers an important part of the state’s
agricultural landscape.
Over the last decade,
more Maine schools have prioritized adding local foods to student menus. Many
have developed school gardens and other education programs. In 2015, the USDA
found that 79% of Maine school districts surveyed take part in farm to school
activities. In that survey, school districts spent an average of 16% of their
food budgets on local products, totaling $3.8 million statewide.
The Maine Department of
Education supports Farm to School efforts by promoting local products during
the annual Maine Harvest Lunch Week and Farm to School Cook-off, among other
initiatives. According to Stephanie Stambach, the department’s Child Nutrition
Consultant, “Students look forward to seeing local foods on the menu. When they
know it is coming from a farm in their community they get excited, and it’s an
educational opportunity. Students and parents seem increasingly aware of where
their food comes from, and schools play an important role in supporting this
awareness.”
Renee Page is the Maine
Farm to School Network Coordinator. “Farm to School’s three-pronged approach
includes agricultural-based education, experiential learning through gardens
and greenhouses, and more Maine-grown food in school meals. These strategies
help connect kids to their food and to farmers. They become savvier consumers
and have better health and learning outcomes. These efforts also support the
local food economy,” according to Page.
For farmers, schools can
be important local customers. Martha Putnam, owner of Wealden Farm, is such a
farmer. “Schools are a very good market. Working with them makes a difference
and is a boost to farmers. It’s good for student awareness; they get to see the
diversity of foods that Maine produces,” according to Putnam. Maine farmers and
producers have provided local products to many schools across Maine, and have
helped with annual programs such as Maine Harvest Lunch Week.
Farmers interested in
working with their local schools should contact the Food Service Director. The
state encourages local purchasing by schools and does not impose special
regulations, but schools may have different needs than the traditional retail
market. In School Year 2019, students at more than 150 Maine schools will
receive a variety of fruits and vegetables at no cost during the school day as
part of the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP). Food service
directors at schools participating in the FFVP program can be excellent
partners for farmers, especially those who are new to selling to schools.
Schools across Maine provide local
foods and nutrition education to their students, and many are eager to grow
these efforts. Leah Cook, Food Inspection Supervisor of the Maine DACF notes, “Schools may
be new territory to navigate for farmers, but there are a lot of committed
passionate people waiting to meet them halfway, and there are a lot of
resources and people with experience who can help them navigate school sales.”
For more information, contact:
Stephanie Stambach MS, RD, SNS
Child Nutrition Consultant
Maine Department of Education
Phone: 207-624-6732
Email: stephanie.stambach@maine.gov
Leigh Hallett
Marketing Director
Division of
Agricultural Resource Development
Department of
Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
207-287-3494 (office)
Email: leigh.hallett@maine.gov
Renee
Page MPH, CLC, PS-C
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
Assistant Director l Physical Activity & Nutrition Lead l FoodCorps
Service Site Supervisor l Maine Farm to School Network Coordinator l National
Farm to School Network Core Partner l Maine Farm to Institution Leadership Team
Coordinator
Phone: 207-588-5347
Email: r.page@hccame.org
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