FOR NEARLY 18 YEARS, THE ST. MARY'S NUTRITION CENTER (NC) HAS HELPED BUILD A STRONGER, MORE JUST FOOD SYSTEM IN GREATER LEWISTON-AUBURN, MAINE BY CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO TAKE PART IN GROWING, COOKING AND SHARING HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD. OUR NETWORK OF COMMUNITY GARDENS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO GROW FRESH VEGETABLES IN NEIGHBORHOODS OF LOW-INCOME; YOUTH PROGRAMS ALLOW TEENS TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND ENGAGE WITH THEIR PEERS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH FOOD; AND DIVERSE FOOD ACCESS INITIATIVES, INCLUDING OUR NEWLY ESTABLISHED MOBILE MARKET, THE GOOD FOOD BUS, ENABLES UNDERSERVED PEOPLE TO BRING HOME MORE HEALTHY FOOD.THROUGH THIS WORK, THE NUTRITION CENTER HAS ESTABLISHED STRONG PARTNERSHIPS, RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE, A TRACK RECORD OF LEADING COLLABORATIVE PLANNING EFFORTS, AND A LONG HISTORY OF ENGAGING WITH YOUTH AND ADULTS OF LOW INCOME IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN A CITY WHERE THE CHILDHOOD POVERTY LEVEL IS NEARLY TWICE THE STATE AVERAGE AND WHERE OF 100% OF THE STUDENTS AT THE DOWNTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL QUALIFY FOR FREE/REDUCED MEALS, THE CHALLENGERS OF FOOD ACCESS AND HUNGER ARE A STARK REALITY. THE NUTRITION CENTER HAS A KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND GAPS WITHIN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, AS WELL AS THE UNIQUE ASSETS THAT OUR COMMUNITY POSSESSES. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A TIMELY OPPORTUNITY TO BRING PARTNERS TOGETHER FOR A COORDINATED RESPONSE.THE GOAL OF THIS CFP PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A MULTI-ORGANIZATIONAL APPROACH THAT PRESERVES PRIZED FARMLAND; ESTABLISHES LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACCESS FOR NEW AMERICAN FARMERS; EXPANDS FOOD AND FARM-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, YOUTH AND CHILDREN; INCREASES ACCESS TO LOCAL FOOD; AND USES FOOD AS A MEANS TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND BRING TOGETHER THE MANY DIVERSE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE MAJORITY OF THE STRATEGIES AND ACTIVIES PLANNED OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WILL UTILIZE CFP FUNDS FOR A ONE-TIME INFUSION TO MAKE KEY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, AS WELL AS SUPPORT THE STAFF TIME AND OUTSIDE EXPERTISE NEEDED TO ESTABLISH STRONG WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS AND AGREEMENTS FOR SHARED USE OF SPACE.KEY ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE: 1) INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE RECENTLY-CONVERTED NONPROFIT WHITING FARM TO REHAB HOOP HOUSES FOR USE BY PARTNERS, IMMIGRANT FARMERS, COMMUNITY GARDENERS, YOUTH, AND SCHOOLS; 2) EXPAND COMMUNITY GARDENS AND SCHOOL GARDENS INCLUDING A NEW ON-SITE LEARNING GARDEN; 3) EXPAND THE GOOD FOOD BUS MOBILE MARKET REACH AND IMPACT; 4) INCREASE THE UTILIZATION OF EXISTING FOOD ACCESS SITES AND PROGRAMS BY PEOPLE VULNERABLE TO FOOD INSECURITY THROUGH A FRESH FOOD CHAMPION PEER ADVOCATE MODEL; 5)ENGAGE TEENS IN FOOD AND GARDEN-BASED LEADERSHIP AND JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES; AND 6) SUPPORT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN A STUDY TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AND FUTURE ACCESS TO FARMLAND IN THE CITY OF AUBURN.