Partners

Network Partners

  • Maine Farm and Sea to Institution Network

    Alida Peterson

    The Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network fosters collective power through collaboration and coordination to strengthen farm to institution efforts in Maine.

  • Maine Network of Community Food Councils

    Darcy Cooke

    MNCFC’s mission is to increase the capacity of local level food systems efforts through collaboration, coordination and resource sharing, resulting in sustainable, sovereign food systems across the state of Maine.

  • Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Maine Climate Action NOW!

    Elise Hartill

    Maine Youth for Climate Justice (MYCJ) is a coalition of over 400 youth from all over Maine who fight for bold climate action, a just transition, and a livable future in Maine. MYCJ was founded in 2019 and is open to anyone under the age of 30 who is interested in engaging at the local or state level on issues related to climate justice.

    MCAN catalyzes transformative education and action in response to the climate and ecological emergency. We seek to honor, unite and amplify the voices of youth, frontline communities, and others historically excluded from the climate conversation and positions of power. 

  • Maine Gleaning Network

    Rebecca Schoen

    The Maine Gleaning Network is a product of collaboration, sharing best practices and support for organizations across the state to engage communities in a more resourceful and equitable food system.

  • Maine Coast Fishermen's Association

    Susan Olcott

    The Maine Coast Fishermen's Association works to enhance the sustainability of Maine’s fisheries by advocating for the needs of community-based fishermen and the environmental restoration of the Gulf of Maine.

Network Partner organizations must meet at least 3 out of the following 5 criteria:

  • Exist for the purposes of working collaboratively to improve outcomes for an issue that no one organization can solve on it’s own;

  • Have a statewide geographical focus;

  • Are guided by grassroots participatory planning and decision making processes;

  • Rely on partnerships to implement activities (as opposed to relying solely on staff);

  • Practice facilitative and distributed leadership, and shared authority.

How We Work Map

Core Team

Meet our core team, forging connections for collective action!

  • Annie Doran

    Project Coordinator

    Annie Doran began her organizational development career in her early 20’s by founding and directing a 501c3 non-profit women’s import/export artisan collective located in northeastern Brazil. The collective also provided a base for educational exchanges with US professionals and students. Annie then returned to Maine to join leadership in developing food systems programs such as the Maine Network of Community Food Councils, Good Food for Lewiston/Auburn, The Good Food Bus, a myriad of youth programs at St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, and now the Maine Food Convergence Project.

    Annie has a Masters in Community Economic Development, a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, and is a certified Cultural Transformation Tools practitioner: all which are used in her work to create spaces for communities, organizations and movements to thrive. Annie brings the humility of many lessons learned abroad then in Maine soil, both farming and organizing. In her leadership, she scaffolds the development of trusting relationships while moving projects forward efficiently.

  • Lauren Olson

    Communications Manager

    Lauren grew up in the green rolling hills of Vermont. She fell into farming and food production in college and the lifestyle that surrounds it. Her undergraduate degree from St. Lawrence University made her appreciate the communities that surround local foods and a Master's Certificate in Food Studies from the University of Southern Maine made her want to pursue a career in the food system.

    Lauren developed her love of good food in Maine by working various agriculture jobs and by creating freelance graphic designs for farmers and food producers. She then decided to pursue a position as a Local Foods Marketing Extension Educator in Northern New York, supporting small business owners with their marketing and business needs. Lauren is excited to be living in Maine, and when she's not working you can find her camping most weekends, sewing up naturally dyed textile goods (thymelineprintco.com) or playing with her dogs.