New England is rich with food system change agents, organizations, and networks. FSNE is committed to complementing and strengthening existing and emerging efforts committed to a food system that works for everyone.
A growing number of organizations and networks recognize the value of thinking regionally about our food system. Below are just a few examples. What examples would you point to?
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The New England Food System Planners Community of Practice (COP) is working together to explore how each state can implement a highly effective food system network with a strong backbone function. The COP group is using the Food Solutions New England systems mapping and strategy development to integrate their state activities with the regional Vision and emerging action plan. Representatives from these groups are participating with the the COP: the Connecticut Food System Alliance, the Maine Food Strategy, the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, The New Hampshire Food Alliance, the Rhode Island Food Policy Council, and the Vermont Farm to Plate Network.
- Farm to Institution New England (FINE) is a six-state network working together to transform our food system by increasing the amount of good, local food served in our region’s schools, hospitals, colleges and other institutions.
- The Agricultural Commissioners from the six New England states are connecting on a regular basis to explore challenges and opportunities that span our region. Their regional effort, Northeastern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA), has led to a coordinated vision and message, which they in turn are taking to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.
- Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (NESAWG) has convened annual regional food system conferences and working groups and engages in collaborative research projects, including with American Farmland Trust (AFT) and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) on the New England Food Policy report which highlights opportunities and barriers to progress at a policy level in the New England region.
- The Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (NAMA) is a fishermen-led organization building a broad movement toward healthy fisheries and fishing communities.