Pingree Announces $375K+ Federal Grant for Maine Project Aimed at Ending Hunger by 2030

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC--Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today announced a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Community Food Project grant has been awarded to the Cumberland County Food Security Council (CCFSC). The grant, totaling $376,619 in federal funds, will be used for CCFSC's four-year project, titled "Maine Meat and Justice on the Table," which aims to transform Maine's food system in ways that build food security toward Maine's stated goal of ending hunger by 2030.

"One in five Maine children are food insecure--a problem that has skyrocketed throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic also revealed major flaws in our food system. The people of CCFSC have united to address this crisis by working to find innovative solutions to hunger in Maine's most populous county," said Congresswoman Pingree. "I'm grateful their project is getting the federal support needed reach the ambitious yet achievable goal of ending hunger in our great state. Their work is essential. I'm thankful for CCFSC's leadership and dedication to shining a light on the impact of food insecurity."

"USDA's recent update of its annual report: Household Food Security in the United States revealed Maine's overall food insecurity rate of 11.4% exceeded the national average or 10.7%. More troubling is that Maine again has a high prevalence of Very Low Food Security (formerly referred to as "hunger'). Our rate is exceeded only by four states; Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia," said Jim Hanna, Executive Director, Cumberland County Food Security Council. "This USDA award will be a big investment in our local food economy. It provides capacity for us to build a network of folks with lived/living experience of poverty who can help us find solutions to the unnecessary scourge of hunger in Maine."

CCFSC, an organization made up of engaged citizens, community leaders, and members of local organizations working to end hunger in Cumberland County and across Maine, is implementing an enterprise and community organizing project to connect local producers and consumers, build community, and transform the state's food system.

Specific goals include:

Increase low-income consumers' access to locally produced, culturally appropriate proteins
Connect farmers, local customers, institutions, and other stakeholders to develop mutually beneficial strategies toward food sovereignty
Develop a Food Justice Network led by community organizers of color

The project is driven by the expressed needs of and represents diverse partnerships among low-income consumers, Maine farmers, and stakeholders within Maine's food supply chain. Project partners include minority farmers, institutional buyers, community leaders, public and higher education, government agencies and representatives, and other mission driven organizations, nonprofits, and funders.

CCFSC's project is among 17 Community Food Projects (CFP) across the U.S. awarded a total of $5 million in funding through NIFA. CFP aims at increasing the self-reliance of communities in providing for the food needs of the communities; and promoting comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues. In addition, CFP projects are designed to meet specific state, tribal, local or neighborhood food and agricultural needs including needs relating to: Equipment necessary for the efficient operation of a project; Planning for long-term solutions; or creation of innovative marketing activities that mutually benefit agricultural producers and low-income consumers. Funding for this program is provided by the 2018 Farm Bill.

In April, Congresswoman Pingree wrote a letter to NIFA CFP Competitive Grants Program National Program Leader Lisa Jahns, supporting CCFSC's application for funding. In the letter, Congresswoman Pingree highlighted the organization's vital work and urged Jahns to consider funding CCFSC's project.

Congresswoman Pingree is co-chair of the House Food Recovery Caucus and has pushed legislation to address hunger and food waste in the U.S as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture.

Source