Second annual Grange event spotlights food systems

    SANGERVILLE — The East Sangerville Grange invites the public to come to its second annual “Cultivating Community” event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12. This year’s focus is on how Maine-raised food gets from the farm to the consumer’s plate, in local markets and beyond.
    Called “Mapping the Maine Highland Food System”, the event is being sponsored by the Maine Farmland Trust. Speakers from Maine Farmland Trust, as well as other organizations from around the state will talk about what food systems are and why they are becoming so important in Maine. A panel of farmers from the Maine Highlands will also offer their perspective on the topic.  Anyone who has anything to do with food — especially regional farmers — is encouraged to come.

    Food systems have many interrelated components, including not just growers, sellers and consumers, but also processers, distributors, funders, lenders, food banks, farm stands, farm markets, restaurants and schools to name a few, said Erin Callaway, chair of the Cultivating Community event committee. “This event is a chance to look at what makes up the food system in our area and how they are connected,” she said.
    One of the highlights of the day will be a presentation by the University of Maine Machias GIS (graphic information systems) Lab demonstrating how communities can use data collection systems to create an actual map of their regional food systems. Later in the day, the Maine Farmland Trust presenters will help attendees start to map the Maine Highland food system.
    Other presenters include Maine Food Strategy, the Maine Network of Community Food Councils, and a panel of speakers from Skowhegan who will talk about how the food system there has taken shape. There is also plenty of time built into the schedule for networking with other attendees. Lunch, snacks and coffee will be provided.
    Pre-registration can be done before April 10, and all attendees are asked to pay their registration fee in cash at the door. To pre-register, email jsawyer@pcedc.com. Those who do not have a computer can pre-register by calling 343-0171 any evening after 6 p.m. and leaving a voicemail with their full name. For directions to the East Sangerville Grange or more information visit  http://www.grange.org/eastsangervilleme177 or send an email to esangervillegrange@gmail.com.