BELFAST, Maine - Several Maine organizations are getting federal funding to provide more low-income families with access to nutritious local food.
Belfast-based Maine Farmland Trust has been awarded nearly $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a project to help people in the Supplemental Nutrition for Needy Families program - often known as food stamps - buy more fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers.
Ellen Sabina is with the Maine Farmland Trust; she says these sorts of programs are especially important in Maine. "Maine has a really high rate of food insecurity, and we need to create more access to healthy fruits and veggies for our low income neighbors here in Maine."
Sabina says it's also a win for farmers, whose products will have more of a market.
The group plans to implement the programs in at least 11 grocery stories across the state.
The national non-profit Wholesome Wave has also received a grant, and will work with local groups like the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association to create incentive programs in local markets.
