The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $1,138,459.78 to Midcoast Council of Governments on March 1, 2026, under the Regional Food System Partnerships Program (CFDA 10.177).
Midcoast Council of Governments, an inter-municipal council serving the Midcoast region of Maine (Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and southern Waldo counties), will execute this award through February 28, 2029, with place of performance in Maine. The Regional Food System Partnerships Program supports partnerships that connect public and private resources to plan and develop local or regional food systems and encourage food economy viability and resilience. The program aims to address wholesale buyer resistance to changing procurement practices toward local sourcing by building partnerships that bring together diverse stakeholders to set priorities, connect resources and services, and establish sustainable, measurable approaches to regional food system development.