PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 20, 2021
Over the past year there have been numerous examples of how the current food system in the United States has failed us in the face of a pandemic. Empty store shelves, virus outbreaks at processing facilities and wasted food while many go hungry are just a few. We also continue to face the impacts of climate change daily, including more severe and unpredictable weather. At the same time, there were stories of success and glimpses of hope, too. Many direct-to-consumer farms experienced a boom in business as consumers turned to them when the larger system couldn’t meet their needs. What would it look like if we insisted that the organic food we’re already choosing to feed our families be grown closer to home when possible? Not only would we have access to the best and freshest produce, but our rural communities would also thrive. ~ Sarah Alexander, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association