Solution 4 Pilot

Pilot 5: Maine Circular Food System GIS Map and Resource Locator

Food Rescue MAINE is currently working to develop a comprehensive map of Maine’s food system, organized by the pieces of a successful circular food system. This map will provide Mainers with critical information about the food system in their region. Data sets will include categories such as food recycling organizations, farmers, schools, cold storage facilities, […]

Read more

Pilot 4: “Mainers Feeding Mainers” A Social Benefit Brand

After Pilot 3 was completed, we had many recipes to upcycle food, but no knowledge about what products would be feasible to sell in store. Mainers Feeding Mainers, a Good Shepherd Food Bank program, did a crucial study to see what items would be marketable in Maine stores. Goals To develop a resilient local Maine […]

Read more

Photo of upcycled products made by KVCC students.

Pilot 3: Maine Upcycled Food Products

After discovering how many surplus crops farmers struggled to sell (pilot 2), we knew we had to figure out new markets for their use. Upcycled food products are foods (often surplus food or produce seconds) that are repurposed through processing techniques. Goals To expand the available markets for surplus crops. To increase the shelf life […]

Read more

Pilot 2: Maine Farm Surplus Opportunity Buy Report

Goals  To help connect Maine farmers with surplus food to large, institutional customers. Methodology  Every week we reach out to Maine farmers and determine if they have any surplus food that they would like to sell. This list is sent to institutions that are seeking affordable food in large quantities. The institution can then pick […]

Read more

Pilot 1: Maine Farm Surplus Survey

Goals  To reduce on-farm food loss by identifying profitable ways to use their extra food. The survey was aimed primarily at Maine’s fruit and vegetable farmers and sought to answer the following questions: How many Maine farms have a surplus? How much surplus do Maine farms have? How often do Maine farmers have a surplus? […]

Read more