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Universities and colleges

Maine Food Producers Push for Local Food Priorities in University Contracts

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A coalition of Maine food producers, students, and community members is urging the University of Maine System to prioritize local food purchases in its upcoming food contract, aiming to commit to buying 20 percent of its food from Maine producers. The group, called Maine Food for the UMaine System, includes 1,500 students and community members within the university food system, and is pushing for a new contract that supports sustainability, equity, and diversity in food procurement. The recommendations also include establishing a food working group, transparent tracking of the university's food plan, and a commitment to partnering with Maine producers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The University of Maine System's $12.5 million annual food contract with Aramark, set to expire next year, presents an opportunity for the university to prioritize local food purchases.
  • Maine Food for the UMaine System is recommending that the university commit to buying 20 percent of its food from Maine producers and 20 percent "real food" by 2020.
  • "Real food" is defined as food that truly nourishes producers, consumers, communities, and the Earth and may be locally sourced, ecologically sound, or humanely produced.
  • The definition is already being used to guide food procurement at 193 U.S. colleges and universities.
  • Dan Demeritt, executive director of public affairs for the University of Maine System, stated that while purchasing local foods is a priority, the university cannot make promises until the request for proposals stage is complete.
  • Maine Food for the UMaine System is calling for the establishment of a food working group, transparent tracking of the university's food plan, and a commitment to partnering with Maine producers.
  • Sam Blackstone, a 14th-generation farmer from Caribou, emphasized that a commitment to local food purchases and partnerships with farmers could be a "game changer."

Statistics:

  • $12.5 million: The annual cost of the University of Maine System's food contract with Aramark.
  • 20 percent: The proposed commitment to buying Maine food and "real food" by 2020.
  • 1,500: The number of students and community members participating in the Maine Food for the UMaine System coalition.
  • 193: The number of U.S. colleges and universities using the "real food" definition for guiding food procurement.
  • Early 1600s: The time when Blackstone's family began farming in England, with 14 generations of farming spanning centuries.

Sources:

  • "Mary Pols July 27--A large group of Maine food producers and organizations is pushing the University of Maine System to change the way it purchases food to make Maine foods a priority." (Portland Press Herald, 2015)
  • John Piotti, president of Maine Farmland Trust: "Maine's local foods economy has grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade, which was the last time the University of Maine System signed a food contract." (Portland Press Herald, 2015)
  • Dan Demeritt, executive director of public affairs for the University of Maine System: "It has to be a fair, open bidding process for everybody." (Portland Press Herald, 2015)
  • Sam Blackstone, 14th-generation farmer: "If the university system made a commitment to spending some of its food dollars locally and partnering with farmers like myself, that could be a game changer." (Portland Press Herald, 2015)

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