Common Ground Radio 3/9/23: Food Access and Equity in Maine

Producers/Hosts: Holli Cederholm
Editor: Clare Boland

Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond.

This month:
A panel discussion about food access and equity in the state of Maine. In this discussion we work to define food access and equity, explore the various resources available and discuss policies being decided now that shape how Mainers access food.
-Food access
-Food equity
-Farmers’ Markets
-Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
-Farm Bill

Guest/s:
BrennaMae Thomas-Googins
Jimmy DeBiasi, executive director, Maine Federation of Farmers Markets
Hillary Barter, education programs coordinator at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

FMI Links:
Maine Harvest Bucks
Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets
Waldo County Bounty
MOFGA Market/CSA Search Tool
Maine Senior FarmShare Program
Mainers Feeding Mainers
Bumper Crop
Real Maine
Farm Bill overview

About the hosts:
Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA.

Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA.