What do Maine Consumers Know about Seafood?

Buy Local: Connecting Consumers with Maine Seafood

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A very enthusiastic crowd checked out the offerings at the Maine AG Trades Show.

MFS Co-Director Tanya Swain gathered feedback from farmers and attendees.

USM Student and MFS Grad Assistant Sandy Gilbreath managed the presentation.

Yum! Thanks to Steering Committee Member Anne Trenholm for organizing the refreshments!

The A List: Augusta & Aroostook County

The New Year kicked off with January road trips to Augusta and Aroostook County. At the Maine Agricultural Trades Show held at the Augusta Civic Center, we connected with folks from across the state, many of whom are small business owners.

The following week, MFS Co-Director Tanya Swain spoke in Caribou at a meeting co-sponsored by the Maine Farm Bureau and Northern Maine Development Commission. After that, she addressed a crowd of about 150 attendees at the Maine Potato Conference.

Thank you to Steering Committee Members Bob Dorsey, John Jemison, Penny Jordan and Anne Trenholm for helping to organize the January meetings.

What are people saying?

Some of the ideas we’ve heard pertain to policy, resource development, marketing and infrastructure needs. Here’s a snapshot:

Provide producers training and information about accessing Canadian markets
Develop a consumer guide for buying whole or partial animals
Offer roaming grant writers to assist farms in obtaining federal and state funding
Reduce the regulatory burden on farms involved in direct farmer to customer on-site sales
Educate consumers on what Integrated Pest Management is and how farmers are using it in production

Have you sent us your idea yet? Email us today!

2015 Maine Fishermen's Forum

What does the average consumer know when it comes to buying Maine fish? Why hasn’t the Buy Local movement had more impact on Maine seafood?

This March, we’re presenting at the 2015 Maine Fishermen’s Forum with Hugh Cowperthwaite of Coastal Enterprises, Inc. to cast our nets wide and reach as many Maine fishermen as possible.

Don’t miss this! This exciting forum will include online tools and research findings for business owners and association representatives to use. A panel discussion will follow our brief presentations.

Moderator

Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association Executive Director Ben Martens

Panel Members

Farm to Institution New England Farm to College Project Manager Riley Neugebauer
Gulf of Maine Research Institute Sustainable Seafood Program Manager Jen Levin
Maine Dayboat Scallops Dealer Togue Brawn
Slow Fish USA Coordinator Spencer Montgomery

FMI: Visit the MFS Website for a full program description.

2015 Maine Fishermen's Forum
Raising Consumer Awareness about Maine Fish
Friday, March 6, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Samoset Resort, Pen Bay Room, Rockport
Free admission
FMI: mfs@mainefoodstrategy.org

Thank You!

With the New Year come changes to our Steering Committee. It is with both appreciation and sadness that we announce the departure of several founding members. Molly Anderson of College of the Atlantic, Heron Breen of Fedco Seeds, Bob Dorsey with the Aroostook Partnership for Progress, Bill Eldridge of MOO Milk and Penny Jordan of Jordan’s Farm are cycling off the committee.

During 2014, the Steering Committee oversaw the development of three major reports, including the public announcement of the 2014 Consumer Survey Report, and development of draft goals and indicators that will be released for further input in the coming months.

Everyone at the Maine Food Strategy would like to thank Molly, Heron, Bob, Bill and Penny for their dedication over the last year; we look forward to working with them in the future.

We are grateful for the continued leadership of our 2015 Steering Committee members who volunteer dozens of hours and are committed to the advancement of food production and a stronger food system for Maine. We anticipate adding names to our 2015 Steering Committee roster.

FMI: 2015 Steering Committee

Had enough winter?

Just think Daylight Savings starts March 8! Spring is around the corner.

We hope to see you at the Fishermen's Forum or an upcoming event soon.

Regards,
Barbi Ives & Tanya Swain
MFS Co-Directors

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