Fork food lab will address significant food loss within the southern maine region capitalizing on the areas growing local food culture and the need for enhanced local food processing capabilities

This initiative will establish a robust value chain incorporating farmers processors logistics providers and institutional buyers to capture and transform approximately 10 million pounds of produce currently relegated as food loss. The project will leverage the recently expanded facility of fork food lab to develop the necessary relationships equipment systems and business models to convert lowergrade fruits and vegetables into valueadded products. This will enable stakeholders to sell intermediate inputs and finished goods to eager markets throughout southern maine directly benefiting farmers by creating new outlets for their crops. The anticipated outcome is a more resilient and efficient local food system reducing waste and increasing economic opportunities for those involved in producing and processing agricultural goods. The projects primary beneficiaries are the farmers and processors within the region alongside the consumers who will gain access to locally produced goods and the broader community through a strengthened regional food economy.