I’m sharing this invitation on behalf of the Local Food Switchboard. This is a brand-new Maine project focused on connecting fishermen, farmers, and food businesses to processing, storage, and distribution infrastructure, markets, and resources -- all with the goal of getting more local food in Maine schools. The Switchboard is an initiative of the Maine Food Convergence Project, and will take the form of an online platform, map and database that will help to streamline local food procurement and facilitate connections across Maine’s food system. There will also be a Switchboard “Operator” who will help to coordinate supply chain logistics and long-term maintenance of the platform, with an initial focus on local food procurement by public schools.
This spring, the Switchboard team is hosting community gatherings across the state to learn directly from local food producers, distributors and buyers about how this project can best serve them. Feedback from these “Research Roadshow” events will inform the development of the Local Food Switchboard.
We invite you and others in Washington County to join us, eat some delicious food, and share your expertise and experience in the local food system. Here are the event details:
Date: Wednesday, May 7
Time: 4 - 6pm
Location: Maine Veterans' Home, Machias
Register: HERE
Other details: Food will be provided, with a variety of options to meet dietary needs. As appreciation for your participation, the Switchboard will offer a $60 Hannaford gift card for your time at the event ($40 to help cover the cost of logistics and $20 for travel and child and elder care). If you require accommodations such as translation or transportation, please email [email protected]. It’s critical to the Switchboard project that this event is accessible to all who would like to attend.
Please feel free to share this invitation with others in your region who work in the local food system! This is an open community event; the more varied voices and perspectives we hear, the better the Switchboard project will serve Maine’s local food community.
Thank you in advance. We’re excited about this project and how it will support a more connected, coordinated local food system in Maine. We look forward to learning from you - experts in your region, in your local food community - and building a collective vision for the Local Food Switchboard.