Maine Food Strategy Network Weaving Webinar

1. Maine Food System Network Weaving Webinar October 12, 2018 10 – 11a.m. Hosted by

2. Maine Food System Network Weaving Webinar ______________________________________________________ *Summary Document*

3. PURPOSE STATEMENT The Maine Food Strategy is an initiative to create a broader and more strongly connected network of organizations, businesses and individuals contributing to the food system in Maine. The initiative is working to advance shared goals to support a robust food economy in our state.

4. Who we are: Maine Food Strategy Values

5. The Maine Food Strategy Framework: A Tool for Advancing Maine’s Food System

6. Framework Goals • Goal 3 • Improve incomes, and access to benefits, for individuals employed in businesses along the food production supply chain. • Goal 2 • Improve the ability of businesses across the food production supply chain to manage growth and change in the marketplace • Goal 1 • Global and in-state market share of foods farmed, fished, foraged and/or processed in Maine shows measurable annual increases within the ecological bounds of the resource. • Goal 4 • Public policies are supportive of farms, fisheries and other food production supply chain businesses that contribute to communities, local economies, and natural resource sustainability. • Goal 5 • Food insecure individuals and communities in Maine have access to resources that address their needs.

7. Sustaining Food Systems Planning Over Time • The Maine Food Strategy Steering Committee and partners are considering how to continue coordinated and collaborative cross-sector work, and planning for Maine’s food system over time. • What is the value-added of coordinating our collective food systems work? • What resources exist within the network to support the ongoing coordination of collaborative state-level projects? • How does the network track quantitative data on indicators of change and communicate this information to partners? • Does the network have structured leadership and if so, what does this look like? • Who represents Maine in New England Regional discussions on food systems planning and on the NE States Community of Practice Group?

8. ‘Network 2.0’ Process • Goals • Stakeholder engagement process for sustaining statewide food systems planning over time • - How to sustain a collaborative approach • - Continued expansion of the network • First meeting attendees: • Bri Bowman, Maine Network of Community Food Councils • Erica Buswell, Maine Farmland Trust • Gray Harris, CEI • Jessica Nixon, Maine Dept. of Ag, Conservation & Forestry • Michael Norton, Hannaford • John Rebar & Dick Bryoski , UMaine Cooperative Extension • Steering Committee: • Jud Cleveland, Kittery Point Capital • Molly Clark, Cold Spring Ranch • Kourtney Collum, College of the Atlantic • Michele DesAutels, Ferment Farm • Mark Dvorozniak, Strategic Marketing Decisions • Jonah Fertig-Burd, Cooperative Development Institute • Karin Gregory, FGD Law • Kristen Miale, Good Shepherd Food Bank • Joshua Stoll, University of Maine • Anne Trenholm, Wholesome Holmstead Farm Survey! Over 85% of respondents said they strongly agree or somewhat agree with the value of a Maine group designated to convene food system stakeholders.

9. Summary of Outreach to Date - Food Systems Planning and Coordination Stakeholder Input

10. Poll What is your level of agreement with the following statement: “It is beneficial to have greater state government involvement [than currently exists] in coordinating Maine’s food system.” Strongly Agree Agree No Opinion Disagree Strongly Disagree

11. Round Robin Please pick a question you would like to respond to the most • Is there value in coordination and collaboration within Maine’s food system? What is it? What would make it more valuable to you? • What areas of opportunity do you see for better statewide food system coordination or collaboration? • How could your organization or work benefit from more coordinated efforts? • Would you be willing to participate in a statewide food systems planning group? • Would you be willing to participate in planning and coordinating activities? I.e. a statewide conference project? Of what kind? How? • Would your organization be willing to give monetary or other resources toward this work? In-kind time? • What skills or type of work are you able to provide? Capacity?

12. Round Robin • What priority activities do you see as valuable? • Networking events • Network training • Maine Food Summit • Information sharing opportunities • Potential Summit sessions • What type of topics would you want to see and attend?

13. Get involved and support the MFS network Sign the Pledge! www.mainefoodstrategy.org/take-the-pledge/ Share the Framework with your organization and networks Sign up for Council updates on our website Join your local Food Council! www.mainefoodcouncils.net Share resources and promote good practices – social media and otherwise! Promote your event on the MFS shared calendar Connect after with others from this webinar _____________________________________________________________________ Tuesday October 16! The Portland Whole Foods Market will be donating 5% of profits to Maine Food Strategy. Come shop and support the project!

14. Thank you! Tanya Swain, project director tswain@mainefoodstrategy.org Sandy Gilbreath, project coordinator sandy@mainefoodstrategy.org www.mainefoodstrategy.org mfs@mainefoodstrategy.org

15. Potential Food System Network Roles, Activities and Needs