News Releases from Region 01

Trump Administration to Support Community Revitalization, Local Food Initiatives in Lewiston-Auburn

Lewiston & Auburn, Maine –Today, in support of the Trump Administration's Executive Order on Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service and the Northern Border Regional Commission in announcing assistance to help Lewiston-Auburn with revitalization strategies that boost the local economy, improve health, and protect the environment. The assistance is provided through Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP), a federal initiative that helps communities reinvest in existing neighborhoods and improve quality of life as they develop the local food economy.

"EPA is proud to partner with USDA and the Northern Border Regional Commission to offer support to communities looking to develop their local food economy," said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "Support for local food initiatives can improve access to fresh foods, support farmers, grow new businesses, and protect the environment."

"Local Foods, Local Places will help our stakeholders, such as the communities in Lewiston and Auburn, with revitalization efforts through the development of local agriculture, improved food access and economic development," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro.

"There are many exciting food and farming endeavors underway in Lewiston-Auburn. The St. Mary's Nutrition Center is thrilled to have assistance through the Local Food, Local Places program to bring our community together to better integrate these efforts in supporting community health and a thriving local economy," said Kirsten Walter, Director of the St. Mary's Nutrition Center.

St. Mary's Nutrition Center in Lewiston-Auburn are working with a team of agricultural, environmental, public health and regional economic development experts to set goals and identify local assets that can support the local food economy. St. Mary's Nutrition Center is also developing an action plan and identify potential resources from the participating federal agencies to support implementation. They want to integrate local foods into downtown revitalization and economic development strategies, ensure land use planning can support local agriculture, and connect existing food and agriculture efforts to strengthen food access and create market opportunities for local farmers.

Since its launch in 2014, LFLP has helped 93 communities across the country develop local food enterprises, such as farmers markets, community gardens and cooperative grocery stores, that improve environmental, economic and health outcomes.

The 2019 partner communities were selected from more than 70 applications. A summary of planned projects is provided below.

For an update on 2018 LFLP projects: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places#2018

For more information on LFLP: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/local-foods-local-places