The Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network fosters collective power through collaboration and coordination to strengthen farm to institution efforts in Maine.

By addressing systemic challenges and supporting public health, education, and the local food economy, MEFTI catalyzes a resilient, equitable, and sustainable food system that benefits all

A transparent, resilient, and accessible food system where Maine institutions serve locally produced foods, support environmental sustainability, and inspire a culture of equitable food access. Institutions across Maine act as leaders in building community connections, educating the next generation, and leveraging their economic influence to create a food economy that thrives for everyone.

HISTORY

For decades, Maine's Farm to School movement has worked to increase the inclusion of locally sourced food in school meals, aiming to support Maine's economy, improve public health, and foster an understanding of food origins. Achievements in this area have been driven by a network committed to developing procurement strategies, providing agricultural education, informing policy initiatives, and creating valuable networking opportunities. More recently, hospitals, colleges, and other institutional settings have begun establishing systems for local food purchasing. As awareness of the importance of Farm to Institution grows, this movement continues to expand across Maine.

In 2015, the Maine Farm to School Network secured funding from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation to create a process that would unite these ongoing efforts and catalyze a social impact network focused on Farm to Institution.

In 2024, HCCA conducted a strategic plan, which combined Maine Farm and Sea to School Network (MFSN) and Maine Farm to Institution network (MEFTI) into one umbrella network: Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network.   

Learn more about MEFTI’s Network Structure

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Include:

• Funding secured from Elmina B. Sewall Foundation 2015-2020

• Formation of Leadership Team with cross-sector, food-serving institution expertise

• Leveraged Sewall support to secure additional funding for specific projects from University of Maine, Maine CDC, ME Department of Education, Henry P. Kendall Foundation, Maine Ag in the Classroom, ME Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, and National Farm to School Network

• Convened 3 regional gatherings in 2015-2016 of 73 cross-sector stakeholders (Ellsworth, Fort Kent, Standish)

• In 2015, began incorporating cross-sector themes into the ME Farm to School Conference

• Report: Harvest of the Month Implementation in Maine 2017

• Report: Increasing Fruit & Vegetable Consumption in Central Public Health District Food-Serving Institutions 2017

• Supported 23 Maine attendees at the New England Farm to Institution Summit 2017

• Secured funding to launch Maine Harvest of the Month in K-12 schools in 2018

• Held first Maine Farm to Institution Summit in 2018 with 225 attendees

• Launched MEFTI and Maine Farm to School Network (MFSN) websites in 2018

• Increased collaboration with state, regional, and national partners

• In 2024, the network underwent a strategic planning process and is now testing a new combined structure to assess whether a shared network and communication system can improve efficiencies and strengthen the outcomes of network initiatives.

• Host of the Maine Farm & Sea to School Institute, now in it’s 4 year (2025)

• Host Maine Food Policy Workgroup (2024)

• Serve as Network Partner in the Maine Food Convergence Project (2024)

• Fiscal management for the Maine Marinara Collaborative (2024)