Maine Contacts
Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets
113 North Lancey Street
Pittsfield, ME 04967
(207) 487-7114 (office)
Website: mainefarmersmarkets.org
Contact:
Leigh Hallett, Executive Director
Email:director@mffm.org
SNAP Info & Contacts
Program Name/EBT Card Name: Maine EBT Card
Current Contractor: Xerox State and Local Solutions, Inc (Conduent)
Maine Ag Department
Maine Department of Agriculture—Get Real, Get Maine!
FMNP & SFMNP
WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
Lisa Burgess Hodgkins, Director
Phone: (207) 287-3991
Toll Free: 1-800-437-9300
Email: Lisa.hodgkins@maine.gov
Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program
Julie Waller, Senior FarmShare Manager
Phone: 207-287-7526
Maine News/Case Studies
Standing Together Against Racism: Black Lives Matter
Stephanie Fenty June 3, 2020Over the past week, the United States has been shaken by the deep inequities rooted within our justice system that have continued to destroy the lives of Black Americans like George Floyd. In the past, the Farmers Market Coalition has largely remained silent on matters of race and injustice. We will do so no longer.… Read More
Maine Event
Darlene Wolnik January 28, 2020by Darlene Wolnik, Training and Technical Assistance Director I just got back from a wonderful week in Maine for the Maine Federation of Farmers Market (MFFM) Convention held during the Maine Ag Trades Show. I was able to attend courtesy of Maine’s Director of Agricultural Resource Development at the Department of Agriculture Conservation and… Read More
Maine Federation of Farmers Markets Seeks ED
Liz Comiskey October 16, 2018Position: Executive Director The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) seeks a visionary and committed leader to grow our organization. MFFM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Maine farms, farmers, and farmers’ markets. We are the only statewide organization in Maine representing the interests of direct-to-consumer farmers and producers. MFFM provides support to Maine’s… Read More
Fresh food program expands to serve more Maine seniors
Liz Comiskey September 7, 2018The Maine Senior FarmShare Program got some extra cash, allowing it to eliminate its waiting list and open up the program to 1,000 more participants. Read full article. Read More
Maine farmers’ markets buck national trend, officials say
Liz Comiskey August 27, 2018Maine’s farmers’ markets appear to be bucking a national trend of lower participation, according to research by the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets. The federation is conducting a survey on its website to gauge participation in farmers markets that asks about their buying habits, where they shop and how much they spend. “Not many of markets track… Read More
Just How Sustainable Is Local Agriculture in the Midcoast?
Liz Comiskey August 24, 2018Every year since 2013, Maine has secured the number- two spot on the national “Locavore Index,” a measure of commitment to the availability and consumption of healthy local food. (www.strollingoftheheifers.com/- locavore/) The culture surrounding fresh food is becoming one of the state’s greatest lures — for visitors and for new farmers. In a state survey, nearly… Read More
$4.6M grant doubles food stamp value at New England farmers markets
Liz Comiskey August 17, 2018The bonus bucks program has been around for several years, but this is the first year the program’s incentive has been a 100% match. “Not only is it helping low income families to be able to afford a healthier diet, but it’s also reinvesting that money into Rhode Island’s economy and New England’s economy,” explained… Read More
Food insecurity addressed at Farmington summit
Liz Comiskey May 4, 2018The 2nd Annual Greater Franklin Food Summit on Wednesday afternoon identified bright spots, challenges and opportunities facing the region’s food system. United Way of the Tri-Valley Area and the Healthy Community Coalition coordinated the first summit a year ago. UWTVA Executive Director Lisa Laflin said 73 percent of actions from that summit have been met,… Read More
Greater Franklin Food Council presents Growing Roots
Liz Comiskey April 20, 2018FARMINGTON – A new focus on food systems in greater Franklin County has come together in the form of the Greater Franklin Food Council – a team dedicated to gaining a better understanding of the food scene in the area. “We look at all areas of food, including, but not limited to, food insecurity,” United… Read More
Rep. Chellie Pingree: Get Ready for the 2018 Farm Bill Fiasco
Liz Comiskey April 20, 2018Rep. Chellie Pingree: Get Ready for the 2018 Farm Bill Fiasco Read More
Amid funding snag, Maine ‘Harvest Bucks’ program for needy gets community investments
Liz Comiskey April 11, 2018AUGUSTA — A program that rewards thousands of low-income Mainers receiving financial food assistance for using their benefits to buy locally grown food such as that found at farmers markets is in funding jeopardy this spring. But Maine farmers market, including those in Augusta and Waterville, are turning to community support and other solutions to… Read More
With its farmers market roots, Stonewall Kitchen is a model in the craft brew industry
Liz Comiskey March 30, 2018(Natalie King) recalled that Stonewall started at a farmers market, and her brother, who co-founded the company, needed to provide a company name for the provisions he was selling. He looked at a nearby stone wall, and the name stuck. King said part of Stonewall’s success in growing outside the state was to keep the… Read More
Maine Farmers Can Apply to Accept WIC
Liz Comiskey March 30, 2018The Vendor applicant is required to submit a completed application to the State Agency. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of missing, incomplete or unsigned documents. Those applications will be returned to the vendor applicant and may delay authorization. Once notified of an incomplete application, the vendor applicant must submit the missing… Read More
Maine farmers hit with new federal food safety rules
Liz Comiskey February 2, 2018“One of the faults of the law is that there could potentially be a lot of infrastructure needs necessary, yet there’s no mechanism for grants for farms to get in compliance with it,” Colson said. “Eventually, this will affect every farmer. If you had an inspector who came onto the farm and saw things they… Read More
January 11, 2018: Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets Convention
Liz Comiskey November 1, 2017Join market managers and farmers in Augusta on January 11, 2018 for the MFFM convention. Network with friends and neighbors, learn about business-strengthening innovations and connect with industry leaders at this dynamic, full-day event. Features include a keynote by food systems expert Philip Ackerman-Leist, author of Rebuilding the Foodshed; workshops and break-out sessions tailored to the needs… Read More
Chellie Pingree Has a Farm Bill Plan to Serve All Farmers
Liz Comiskey November 1, 2017“With the 2018 Farm Bill fast approaching, Civil Eats caught up with Rep. Pingree to talk about her policy priorities and what to pay attention to now. What are your biggest farm bill priorities right now? We’re working on a number of different bills [to be included in the final farm bill package]. We have… Read More
Maine Food Sovereignty Law
Liz Comiskey October 23, 2017An Act to Recognize Local Control Regarding Food Systems, LD724, takes effect on November 1, 2017. LD725 applies in declared food sovereign towns, so most markets are unaffected by the law. If your town is not a food sovereign town, this law will not apply. Furthermore, since it exclusively applies to food produced and sold within food sovereign… Read More
Food sovereignty law leaves Maine meat producers without approved slaughterhouses
Liz Comiskey October 19, 2017“In practical terms, it means consumers can buy directly from farmers and food producers in those communities who are operating outside of state and federal licensing. The legislation was intended by those who shaped it, including state Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, its sponsor, and state Rep. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, who has put forth numerous similar… Read More
**Updated** Congratulations to FMC Member FMPP and FMSSG Awardees!
Liz Comiskey October 9, 2015The awardees of the 2015 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the first ever Farmers Market SNAP Support Grants (FMSSG) were announced last week! Check out all of the FMC members that were awarded below. Many FMC members will also benefit from grant projects within their community networks; you… Read More
Farmers and Markets Support Furloughed Workers
Stacy November 6, 2013The following links include examples of farmers markets supporting furloughed federal government employees during the temporary shutdown in October. Discounts for furloughed employees in Maine Consignment Booth for furloughed feds to sell non edible items in DC Free food for furloughed employees in NH Read More
