Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn Annual Appeal

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A nonprofit fundraiser supporting

Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn
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Help us implement a local food action plan!

$2,325

raised by 20 people

$3,000 goal

Who We Are

The Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn (GFCLA) is made up of people who live and/or work in Lewiston, Auburn, and surrounding communities. We work to create a vibrant and equitable food system, from farm-to-fork, in the greater Lewiston and Auburn area. As a community-based organization, we work in support of partner organizations, community members, and local producers, serving as a catalyst to create a sustainable food system. By design, the Council’s success is dependent upon bringing together multiple sectors, community members, public and private entities, and policy makers.

 

What We’ve Been Up To

The onset of the COVID-19 era has brought about a great disruption in an already fragile food supply chain. Maine imports over 90% of our food, and statewide 1 in 5 children are food insecure. The danger of this reliance on national and global food sources became evident when supermarket shelves became empty.  Many of Maine’s small farms and value-added producers stepped up to fill the gaps and, in some cases, for the first time, Maine residents saw the critical importance of having a robust local food system to nourish our communities while also  supporting local economies. 


Additionally, as protests erupted across our nation, individuals and organizations alike have been called to examine our roles in addressing systemic racism. In response, the GFCLA worked to support immediate needs in our local food system, including supporting the coordination of the LA Emergency Food Response partnership. We also are continuing to work on longer term solutions such as developing innovative municipal food policies that would make it easier to grow, sell, and access food in the urban core of the twin cities, and supporting equitable land access strategies.


A key 2020 priority for GFCLA has been kicking-off the implementation of the community-driven Local Foods, Local Places Community Action Plan for Lewiston-Auburn, which connects local food access strategies to community and economic development and downtown revitalization strategies (visit this link to learn exciting plan updates as of October 2020). The GFCLA is coordinating the 3-5 year implementation phase of the plan, by supporting, connecting, and working alongside a wide range of community members, businesses, organizations, and municipalities to achieve the plans’ 16 specific and measurable action steps within these four broad goals:


GOAL 1 - Strengthen Access To Local Food While Expanding Market Opportunities and Infrastructure for Farm and Food Businesses

GOAL 2 - Integrate Local Food and Agriculture into City Planning and Economic Development Strategies

GOAL 3 - Build Food and Agriculture as a Defining Brand for Lewiston-Auburn

GOAL 4 - Increase Equitable Access, Ownership, and Preservation of Land to Grow Food in Lewiston-Auburn


GFCLA is adapting to these times by shifting our strategy for how to move forward with the plan's implementation. This includes sharing $4,000 of financial resources leveraged for the implementation of the plan, which would have supported in-person engagement and events, with community organizations who are leading progress on priority actions in the short term such as those supporting a strong, resilient farmers’ market and land acquisition efforts for immigrant and refugee subsistence farmers.

Why We Need Your Help Now!

Our work is ongoing: we will continue to serve as a voice for a healthy Lewiston-Auburn food system and prioritize long-term solutions to equitable land access as well as policies that support both the farmer and the consumer. We hope you will help us continue building momentum through our current focus, the Local Foods Local Places Action Plan, and our support of community partners who are leading critical food actions. 


If we are successful in reaching our fundraising goal of $3000, the Council’s intention is to offer two $1000 stipends to local organizations who we are working in lockstep to advance the goals of the Local Foods Local Places Action Plan.


Please consider a financial donation to help us reach our goal! 

All support is helpful and appreciated.  

Thank you!

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